New tetraphosphane ligands {(X2P)2NC6H4N(PX2)2} (X = Cl, F,OMe, OC6H4OMe-o): synthesis, derivatization, group 10 and 11 metal complexes and catalytic investigations. DFT calculations on intermolecular P...P interactions in halo-phosphines.

The reaction of p-phenylenediamine with excess PCl 3 in the presence of pyridine affords p-C 6H 4[N(PCl 2) 2] 2 ( 1) in good yield. Fluorination of 1 with SbF 3 produces p-C 6H 4[N(PF 2) 2] 2 ( 2). The aminotetra(phosphonites) p-C 6H 4[N{P(OC 6H 4OMe- o) 2} 2] 2 ( 3) and p-C 6H 4[N{P(OMe) 2} 2] 2 ( 4) have been prepared by reacting 1 with appropriate amount of 2-(methoxy)phenol or methanol, respectively, in the presence of triethylamine. The reactions of 3 and 4 with H 2O 2, elemental sulfur, or selenium afforded the tetrachalcogenides, p-C 6H 4[N{P(O)(OC 6H 4OMe- o) 2} 2] 2 ( 5), p-C 6H 4[N{P(S)(OMe) 2} 2] 2 ( 6), and p-C 6H 4[N{P(Se)(OMe) 2} 2] 2 ( 7) in good yield. Reactions of 3 with [M(COD)Cl 2] (M = Pd or Pt) (COD = cycloocta-1,5-diene) resulted in the formation of the chelate complexes, [M 2Cl 4- p-C 6H 4{N{P(OC 6H 4OMe- o) 2} 2} 2] ( 8, M = Pd and 9, M = Pt). The reactions of 3 with 4 equiv of CuX (X = Br and I) produce the tetranuclear complexes, [Cu 4(mu 2-X) 4(NCCH 3) 4- p-C 6H 4{N(P(OC 6H 4OMe- o) 2) 2} 2] ( 10, X = Br; 11, X = I). The molecular structures of 1- 3, 6, 7, and 9- 11 are confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The weak intermolecular P...P interactions observed in 1 leads to the formation of a 2D sheetlike structure, which is also examined by DFT calculations. The catalytic activity of the Pd(II) 8 has been investigated in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions.