Rearrangements and reductive cleavage of 3a,6a-diaza-1,4-diphosphapentalenes

Abstract

The interaction of 1,4-dichloro-3a,6a-diaza-1,4-diphosphapentalenes with metallic Na or Li or the naphthalene-Na anion-radical salt in THF proceeds through several successive stages: dehalogenation, two types of rearrangement of the heteropentalene fragment to form 1,6-diaza-3a,6a-diphosphapentalene- and 1,4-diaza-3a,6a-diphosphapentalene derivatives, and subsequent cleavage of the heteropentalene framework to give a stable aromatic 1,2,3-azadiphospholide ion.