VERFAHREN ZU HERSTELLUNG VON BIDENTATLIGANDEN

A process is disclosed for preparing bidentate ligands of the formula: wherein: each Ar is independently selected from aromatic ring compounds having 6 up to 14 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthryl and anthracenyl; the x bonds and the y bonds are attached to adjacent carbon atoms on the ring structures; each R, when present as a substituent, is independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, cycloaliphatic, halogen, alkanoyl, aroyl, alkanoyloxy, aroyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxy carbonyl, carboxyl, cyano, sulfonic acid or formyl radicals; n is a whole number in the range of 0-4 were Ar is phenyl; 0-6 where Ar is naphthyl; and 0-8 where Ar is phenanthryl or anthracenyl; each R1 and R2 is independently selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl or cycloaliphatic radicals, or substituted derivatives thereof, wherein; substituted derivatives include ethers, amines, amides, sulfonic acids, esters, hydroxyl groups and alkoxy groups. each R3 and R4 is independently selected from hydrogen and the R1 substituents; each of the above alkyl groups or moieties is straight or branched chain of 1-20 carbons; each aryl group contains 6-10 ring carbons; each cycloaliphatic group contains from 4-8 ring carbons; and each Y is independently selected from the elements P, As, Sb and Bi. The invention process comprises (1) contacting a biaryl compound having the structural formula: with a proton abstracting agent under conditions suitable to form a biaryl dianion, which is then (2) contacted with a Group V compound of the formula: wherein X min is halogen or a suitable leaving group. m