The reaction of λ3-cyclotriphosphazanes with tetrachloro-ortho-benzoquinone: an unusual ring contraction–rearrangement

Abstract

Oxidative addition of tetrachloro-ortho-benzoquinone to λ³-cyclotriphosphazanes, [EtNP(OR)]₃ results in an unprecedented ring contraction–rearrangement to give diazadiphosphetidines (EtN)₂[P(OR)(O₂C₆Cl₄)][P(O₂C₆Cl₄){N(Et)P(OR)₂}](R = C₆H₄Br-4 or C₆H₃Me₂-2,6), a process indicated to be thermodynamically favourable on the basis of PM3 calculations.