The reaction of 1-substituted 3,4-dimethyl-Δ3-phospholens with diethyl peroxide: a correlation between rate and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance shift

Abstract

The reactions of a variety of 1-X-3,4-dimethyl-Δ³-phospholens (where X = Br, Me, Ph, NMe₂, SEt, H, and OR) with diethyl peroxide are described. The rates of reaction show a broad correlation with the ³¹P n.m.r. chemical shifts of the starting phospholens, with low field shifts corresponding to the highest reactivity. The results are discussed in terms of the biphilic mechanism for the reaction of trico-ordinate phosphorus compounds with weak σ-bonds.