First donor stabilized-phosphenium copper(I) complexes

The preliminary studies of coordination properties of one donor stabilized-phosphenium adduct have been explored in copper chemistry. The preparation as well as the characterization of first examples of donor stabilized-phosphenium copper(I) complexes is reported in the paper. Thus, the direct addition of CuBr.SMe2 to an equivalent amount of cationic P‐ligands (L1+ or L2+)(PF6), with and , following by a crystallization in acetonitrile/Et2O led to first copper complexes [(L1,2+)CuBr2−] 1 and 3 and [(L1,2+)Cu+(NCMe)3+](PF6−)22 and 4 in a 1:1 ratio. However, when DMF/Et2O mixture was used as crystallization solvent, a stable bromo-bridged copper(I) dimer 5 [(L2+)CuBr(DMF)]2 was obtained. Molecular structures of mono- and di-nuclear copper complexes 1 and 5 have been confirmed by X‐ray structure analysis.

Synthesis and full characterization of the first donor stabilized-phosphenium copper complexes are described. Depending on the crystallization solvent, mono- and di-nuclear structures are selectively obtained.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Coordination properties of stable phospheniums are explored in copper chemistry.
► First carbene-phosphenium copper(I) complexes have been obtained from CuBr.SMe2.
► Mono- or di-nuclear structures are obtained according to the crystallization solvent.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide