A transient lanthanum phosphinidene complex

Abstract

Deprotonation of the terminal phosphido complex (PN)₂La(PHMes) (1) results in the C–H-activation of one of the PN ligands, formally retaining the PHMes group. The reaction mechanism and the possible involvement of the transient phosphinidene complex 2 are investigated by theoretical and chemical means including a deuteration experiment employing (PN)₂La(PDMes) (1-d). Furthermore, the thermal stability of product [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][(PN)(PN_cyclo)La(PHMes)] (3b) is examined, giving the diphosphido complex [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][(PN)₂La(P₂Mes₂)] (6).