Intramolecular Hydrophosphination/Cyclization of Phosphinoalkenes and Phosphinoalkynes Catalyzed by Organolanthanides:  Scope, Selectivity, and Mechanism

Organolanthanide complexes of the general type Cp‘2LnE(TMS)2 (Cp‘ = η5-Me5C5; Ln = La, Sm, Y, Lu; E = CH, N; TMS = SiMe3) serve as effective precatalysts for the rapid intramolecular hydrophosphination/cyclization of the phosphinoalkenes and phosphinoalkynes RHP(CH2) n CHCH2 (R = Ph, H; n = 3, 4) and H2P(CH2) n C⋮C−Ph (n = 3, 4) to afford the corresponding heterocycles and respectively. Kinetic and mechanistic data for these processes exhibit parallels to, as well as distinct differences from, organolanthanide-mediated intramolecular hydroamination/cyclizations. The turnover-limiting step of the present catalytic cycle is insertion of the carbon−carbon unsaturation into the Ln−P bond, followed by rapid protonolysis of the resulting Ln−C linkage. The rate law is first-order in [catalyst] and zero-order in [substrate] over approximately one half-life, with inhibition by heterocyclic product intruding at higher conversions. The catalyst resting state is likely a lanthanocene phosphine−phosphido complex, and dimeric [Cp‘2YP(H)Ph]2 was isolated and cystallographically characterized. Lanthanide identity and ancillary ligand structure effects on rate and selectivity vary with substrate unsaturation: larger metal ions and more open ligand systems lead to higher turnover frequencies for phosphinoalkynes, and intermediate-sized metal ions with Cp‘2 ligands lead to maximum turnover frequencies for phosphinoalkenes. Diastereoselectivity patterns also vary with substrate, lanthanide ion, and ancillary ligands. Similarities and differences in hydrophosphination vis-à-vis analogous organolanthanide-mediated hydroamination are enumerated.