Synthesis, Structures, and Reactivity of Kinetically Stabilized Anthryldiphosphene Derivatives

The first stable anthryldiphosphenes, 1 and 2, were synthesized by utilizing kinetic stabilization of 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl (Tbt) and 2,6-bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-4-[tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl (Bbt) groups, and were characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analyses. The UV–visible spectroscopic data suggested the electronic communication between the anthryl moiety and the P=P unit. It was found that TbtP=P(9-Anth) (1a: 9-Anth = 9-anthryl) showed weak fluorescence in hexane solution. Furthermore, the reactivities of anthryldiphosphene 1 with a chromium complex, chalcogenation reagents, a diene, and electron-deficient olefins have been revealed.