Light-induced splitting of P–C bonds in a lanthanum(iii) hemiphosphinal complex

Abstract

Insertion of fluorenone into the lanthanum–phosphorus bond of terminal phosphido complexes (PN)₂La(PHR) (R = Mes (1a), R = Ph (1b) and R = ^tBu (1c)) results in the formation of light-sensitive hemiphosphinal complexes 2a–c. Upon exposure to daylight, the P–C bonds in 2a–c break resulting in the formation of diphospines and a lanthanum bound fluorenonyl-radical. The scope and mechansim of this reaction are experimentally and theoretically evaluated.