Facile synthesis of dibenzo-7λ3-phosphanorbornadiene derivatives using magnesium anthracene.

Unprotected dibenzo-7λ(3)-phosphanorbornadiene derivatives RPA (A = C(14)H(10) or anthracene; R = (t)Bu, dbabh = NA, HMDS = (Me(3)Si)(2)N, (i)Pr(2)N) are synthesized by treatment of the corresponding phosphorus dichloride RPCl(2) with MgA·3THF, in cold THF (~20% to 30% isolated yields). Anthracene and the corresponding cyclic phosphane (RP)(n) form as coproducts. Characteristic NMR features of the RPA derivatives include a doublet near 4 ppm in their (1)H NMR spectra and a triplet peak in the 175-212 ppm region of the (31)P NMR spectrum ((2)J(PH) ~14 Hz). The X-ray structures of the AN-PA and (HMDS)PA derivatives are discussed. Thermolysis of RPA benzene-d(6) solutions leads to anthracene extrusion. This process has a unimolecular kinetic profile for the (i)Pr(2)NPA derivative. The 7-phosphanorbornene anti-(i)Pr(2)NP(C(6)H(8)) could be synthesized (70% isolated yield) by thermolysis of (i)Pr(2)NPA in 1,3-cyclohexadiene.