Why are the {Cu4N4} rings in Copper (I) Phosphinimide Clusters [Cu{μ-N=PR3}]4 (R = NMe3 or Ph) Planar?

Thomas P. Robinson; Richard D. Price; Matthew G. Davidson; Mark A. Fox; Andrew L. Johnson

doi:10.1039/C5DT00255A

Why are the {Cu₄N₄} rings in Copper (I) Phosphinimide Clusters [Cu{μ-N=PR₃}]₄ (R = NMe₃ or Ph) Planar?

Thomas P. Robinson
, Richard D. Price
, Matthew G. Davidson
, Mark A. Fox
, Andrew L. Johnson

Durham University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

14 Citations (SciVal)

293 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The copper phosphinimide complexes [Cu{-N=PR3}]4 (1, R = NMe2 and 2, R = Ph) were obtained in good yields from the reactions of Cu[Mes] (Mes = mesityl, C6H2Me3-2,4,6) with the corresponding iminophosphoranes, HNPR3. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 reveal the presence of planar eight-membered {Cu4N4} rings which contrasts with the saddle-shaped {M4N4} rings found in related metal phosphinimide complexes. According to computations, there is negligible aromaticity in the planar {Cu4N4} rings in 1 and 2 and the saddle shape observed in related {M4N4} rings is due to steric factors.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	5611-5619
Journal	Dalton Transactions
Volume	44
Issue number	12
Early online date	12 Feb 2015
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1039/C5DT00255A
Publication status	Published - 28 Mar 2015

Access to Document

10.1039/C5DT00255A

DT-ART-01-2015-000255Accepted author manuscript, 1.06 MB

Cite this

@article{3d4ff31ee7464d3d90132be2dd707c36,

title = "Why are the \{Cu4N4\} rings in Copper (I) Phosphinimide Clusters [Cu\{μ-N=PR3\}]4 (R = NMe3 or Ph) Planar?",

abstract = "The copper phosphinimide complexes [Cu\{-N=PR3\}]4 (1, R = NMe2 and 2, R = Ph) were obtained in good yields from the reactions of Cu[Mes] (Mes = mesityl, C6H2Me3-2,4,6) with the corresponding iminophosphoranes, HNPR3. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 reveal the presence of planar eight-membered \{Cu4N4\} rings which contrasts with the saddle-shaped \{M4N4\} rings found in related metal phosphinimide complexes. According to computations, there is negligible aromaticity in the planar \{Cu4N4\} rings in 1 and 2 and the saddle shape observed in related \{M4N4\} rings is due to steric factors.",

author = "Robinson, \{Thomas P.\} and Price, \{Richard D.\} and Davidson, \{Matthew G.\} and Fox, \{Mark A.\} and Johnson, \{Andrew L.\}",

year = "2015",

month = mar,

day = "28",

doi = "10.1039/C5DT00255A",

language = "English",

volume = "44",

pages = "5611--5619",

journal = "Dalton Transactions ",

issn = "1477-9226",