Tris(bicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl)phosphine: An Exceptionally Small Tri- tert-alkylphosphine and Its Bis-Ligated Pd(0) Complex

J Am Chem Soc. 2023 Mar 29;145(12):7005-7010. doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c00885. Epub 2023 Mar 15.

Abstract

Tris(bicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl)phosphine can be prepared by radical addition of PH3 to [1.1.1]propellane, giving the smallest tri-tert-alkylphosphine known. PBcp3 is substantially smaller than PCy3 and is comparable in electron-donating power to PEt3. It gives a bis-ligated Pd(0) complex Pd(PBcp3)2 that is exceptionally reactive toward alkyl halide oxidative addition and functions as a general ligand for palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of sp3 electrophiles. Radical addition of [1.1.1]propellane to phenylphosphine gives the bis(bicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl)phosphine derivative PBcp2Ph, illustrating the generality of this approach to bicyclopentylphosphine synthesis.