Grafting of borane-protected aliphatic and aromatic aminophosphine ligands to glassy carbon electrodes

Phosphine–borane moieties with amino-anchoring groups were covalently grafted on glassy carbon substrates, using free radical electrografting methods. The oxidative destruction of phosphine was efficiently quenched thanks to the borane protecting group. The chelating ability of the attached phosphine ligands was exemplified with Mn.

► Phosphine ligands were attached to carbon surface using free radical electrografting methods.
► Phosphine ligands are excellent chelating group for low and high oxidation-state transition metals compounds.
► Their high sensitivity towards oxidation makes the phosphine groups difficult to process.
► A borane protecting group prevents electrochemical oxidation of the phosphine moiety, even at high oxidation potential.
► Deprotection is easily achieved allowing the covalent immobilization of organometallic complexes for catalysis.