3,4-Dithiaphosphole and 3,3',4,4'-tetrathia-1,1'-biphosphole π-conjugated systems: S makes the impact.

Conjugated systems based on phospholes and 1,1'-biphospholes bearing 3,4-ethylenedithia bridges have been prepared using the Fagan-Nugent route. The mechanism of this organometallic route leading to intermediate zirconacyclopentadienes has been investigated by using theoretical calculations. This study revealed that the oxidative coupling leading to zirconacyclopentadienes is favored over oxidative addition within the S-C≡C bond both thermodynamically and kinetically. The impact of the presence of the S atoms on the optical and electrochemical behavior of the phospholes and 1,1'-biphospholes has been systematically evaluated both experimentally and theoretically. A comparison with their "all-carbon" analogues is provided. Of particular interest, this comparative study revealed that the introduction of S atoms has an impact on the electronic properties of phosphole-based conjugated systems. A decrease of the HOMO-LUMO separation and a stabilization of the LUMO level were observed. These general trends are also observed with 1,1'-biphospholes exhibiting σ-π conjugation. The P atom of the 3,4-ethylenedithiaphospholes can be selectively oxidized by S(8) or O(2). These P modifications result in a lowering of the HOMO-LUMO separation as well as an increase of the reduction and oxidation potentials. The S atoms of the 3,4-ethylenedithia bridge of the 2,5-phosphole have been oxidized using m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid. The resulting 3,4-ethylenesulfoxide oxophosphole was characterized by an X-ray diffraction study. Experimental and theoretical studies show that this novel chemical manipulation results in an increase of the HOMO-LUMO separation and an important decrease of the LUMO level. The electropolymerization of 2-thienyl-capped 3,4-ethylenedithiathioxophosphole and 1,1'-biphosphole is reported. The impact of the S substituents on the polymer properties is discussed.

Synthesis, electronic properties, and reactivity of phospholes and 1,1'-biphospholes bearing 2- or 3-thienyl C-substituents.

Two series of phospholes and 1,1'-biphospholes bearing either 2- or 3-thienyl substituents at the C atoms are prepared by using the Fagan-Nugent route. Their optical (UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence spectra) and electrochemical properties are systematically evaluated. Of particular interest, the first ever reported 3-thienyl-substituted phospholes exhibit higher LUMO levels than their 2-thienyl analogues, and show accordingly different physical properties. This study also reveals that the 1,1'-biphospholes exhibit sigma-pi conjugation. The phosphole and 1,1'-biphosphole derivatives bearing 3-thienyl substituents are characterized by X-ray diffraction study. The structure-property relationship established following the experimental data are fully supported by theoretical studies including time-dependent(TD)-DFT spectra. A photocyclization reaction performed on the thioxo- and oxophospholes having 3-thienyl substituents affords a novel ring-fused phosphole-thiophene derivative, which was characterized by an X-ray diffraction study. The structure and electronic properties of this novel dithienophosphole are discussed based on experimental and theoretical data.

Connecting pi-chromophores by sigma-P-P bonds: new type of assemblies exhibiting sigma-pi-conjugation.

To study the ability of sigma-P-P skeleton to mediate interaction between pi-chromophores, 1,1'-biphospholes bearing phenyl or thienyl substituents at the 2,2' and 5,5'-position have been prepared and studied. These air-stable derivatives are readily available via a "one-pot" synthesis starting from diynes. Theoretical studies and UV-vis data clearly establish that the two pi-systems interact via the sigma-P-P bridge. This through-bond interaction results in a lowering of the optical HOMO-LUMO gap of the assemblies. The nucleophilic sigma(3)-P centers of these 1,1'-biphospholes allow chemical modifications of the sigma-bridge. These modifications offer further tuning of the optical properties of the assembly. Electrooxidation of the thienyl-substituted 1,1'-biphosphole results in electroactive materials characterized by low optical band gap and reversible p-doping.

Chemistry of bridging phosphanes: PdI dimers bearing 2,5-dipyridylphosphole ligands.

Two synthetic routes to Pd(I) dimers that feature a bridging 1-phenyl- and 1-cyclohexyl-2,5-di(2-pyridyl)phosphole ligand, 3 a and 3 b, respectively, are described. The first involves a conproportionation process between Pd(II) and Pd(0) complexes, while the second involves ligand displacement from a preformed Pd(I) dimer. Both routes are operable for 1-phenylphosphole 1 a, whereas the former failed with 1-cyclohexylphosphole 1 b. A mechanistic study revealed that the conproportionation pathway implies a reversible oxidative addition of the P-C(phenyl) bond of Pd(II)-coordinated 1 a to Pd(0) leading to a bimetallic Pd(II) complex 5. The structures of complexes 3 a and 3 b were studied by means of X-ray diffraction. The similarity of these solid-state structures suggests that the bridging mode of the P atom is due to mu-1kappaN:1,2kappaP:2kappaN coordination of ligands 1 a, b. The electrochemical behaviour and UV/Vis absorption properties of complexes 3 a, b are reported. Complex 3 a is inert towards CO, PPh(3) and 1,3-dipoles. It reacted with dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate to give complex 6 as a result of insertion of the alkyne into the Pd-Pd bond. X-ray diffraction studies of complexes 5 and 6 are also presented.