was slowly added to a cold solution (−78 ◦C) of the Grignard
reagent prepared from magnesium turnings (5.57 g, 229 mmol)
and 1-bromo-2-(methoxymethyl)benzene (46.00 g, 229 mmol)
in the same solvent (300 mL). The mixture was stirred at room
temperature for 1 h and then the solvent was removed and
replaced with n-hexane (600 mL). After ca. 15 h, the mixture was
filtered and the filtrate treated with anhydrous HCl for 20 min.
The mother liquor was decanted from the inorganic salts and the
solvent was removed from the filtrate t◦o afford a cloudy oil that
was distilled: 28.45 g (69%); bp 84–87 C (0.15 mmHg). Found:
C, 43.11; H, 4.29. C8H9Cl2OP requires C, 43.08; H, 4.07%. dH
(300 MHz; CDCl3; 298 K) 3.40 (3 H, s, OMe), 4.71 (2 H, s, CH2),
7.26–7.55, 8.20–8.24 (4 H, m, ArH). dP (300 MHz; CDCl3; 298 K)
158.7 (s). Mass spec. (EI) 222 ([M]+), 185 ([M − Cl]+), 153 amu
([M − 2Cl]+).
[2-(Methoxymethyl)phenyl]dimethylphosphine.
Dichloro[2-
(methoxymethyl)phenyl]phosphine (3.06 g, 13.7 mmol) in diethyl
ether (25 mL) was added to a cold solution (0 ◦C) of a Grignard
reagent prepared from magnesium turnings (0.81 g, 33.2 mmol)
and iodomethane (1.90 mL, 30.2 mmol). After the addition, the
reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 30 min. The mixture
was then cooled to 0 ◦C and treated with a saturated aqueous
solution of ammonium chloride (25 mL) with stirring. The mixture
was left to warm to room temperature and then the phases were
separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with diethyl ether
(2 × 50 mL); the combined organic fraction was dried (MgSO4),
filtered, and the solvent removed in vacuo to leave an oil that was
distilled: 1.78 g (70%); bp 78 ◦C (0.7 mmHg). Found: C, 66.03; H,
8.38. C10H15OP requires C, 65.92; H, 8.30%. dH (300 MHz; CDCl3;
298 K) 1.18 (6 H, d, JHP = 3.30 Hz, PMe), 3.32 (3 H, s, OMe), 4.60
(2 H, s, CH2), 7.21–7.40 (4 H, m, ArH). dP (300 MHz; CDCl3; 298
K) −58.04 (s). Mass spec. (EI) 183 amu ([M]+).
Fig. 8 Molecular ellipsoid diagram for the R enantiomer of the cation of
)-8 showing 30% probability ellipsoids. Hydrogen atoms and triflate ion
omitted for clarity.
(
the corresponding distance in the AsMe2Ph adduct. Interactions
˚
of the [2-(MeOCH2)C6H4]-O atom at As1 · · · O51 3.027(2) A and
˚
As2 · · · O51 2.942(2) A in ( )-8 place the oxygen closer to the
arsenic atom of the tertiary arsine than the methylphenylarsenium
ion, which could indicate that crystal packing effects are important
in these complexes.
Conclusions
Tertiary arsine-stabilised arsenium complexes are readily prepared
by chloride abstraction from secondary chloroarsines in the
presence of tertiary arsines. The complexes have structures based
on a trigonal pyramid and undergo ligand exchange in solution at
faster rates than the corresponding phosphine-stabilised arsenium
complexes.
[2-(Methoxymethyl)phenyl]diphenylarsine.
Iododiphenylar-
sine (10.36 g, 29.1 mmol) in THF (30 mL) was added to
a cooled solution of a Grignard reagent (0 ◦C) prepared
from magnesium turnings (0.86 g, 35.2 mmol) and 1-bromo-2-
(methoxymethyl)benzene (6.44 g, 32.0 mmol) in THF (20 mL).
After the addition, the reaction mixture was heated under reflux
for 1 h. The THF was removed in vacuo from the cooled solution
and diethyl ether (50 mL) was added to the residue, followed by
saturated aqueous ammonium chloride (25 mL). The two-phase
mixture was left to warm to room temperature before the phases
were separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with diethyl
ether (2 × 50 mL) and the combined organic fraction was dried
(MgSO4), filtered, and the solvent removed from the filtrate to leave
a pale yellow solid that crystallised from hot ethanol as colourless
needles: 7.52 g (74%); mp 84–86 ◦C. Found: C, 68.22; H, 5.18.
C20H19AsO requires C, 68.58; H, 5.47%. dH (300 MHz; CDCl3;
298 K) 3.23 (3 H, s, OMe), 4.60 (2 H, s, CH2), 7.00–7.46 (14 H, m,
ArH). Mass spec. (EI) 350 ([M]+), 241 amu ([M − MeOPh]+).
Experimental
General methods
Reactions involving air-sensitive compounds were carried out
under a positive pressure of nitrogen using conventional Schlenk
techniques. Dry, degassed solvents were obtained by distillation
over appropriate drying agents.14 Chloromethylphenylarsine,15
dimethylphenylarsine,16 [2-(methoxymethyl)phenyl]dimethylar-
sine,17 dimethylphenylphosphine,18 iododiphenylarsine,19 chloro-
bis(diethylamino)phosphine,20 and 1-bromo-2-(methoxymethyl)-
benzene21 were prepared by literature methods. H and 31P{ H}
NMR spectra were recorded at 298 K on a Varian Inova
300 spectrometer operating at 299.945 and 121.419 MHz,
respectively; resonances were referenced against the solvent or
external aqueous H3PO4 (85%). Melting points were determined
with use of a Reichert hot-stage melting point apparatus. Mass
spectra and elemental analyses were performed by staff within the
Research School of Chemistry.
1
1
General procedure for preparation of phosphine- and
arsine-stabilised arsenium triflates
The tertiary phosphine or arsine (1.1 equiv.) was added to
a solution of chloromethylphenylarsine (1.0 equiv.) containing
Me3SiOTf (1.1 equiv.). After ca. 0.5 h, the solvent and Me3SiCl
were removed in vacuo. The residues were redissolved in small
Syntheses
Dichloro[2-(methoxymethyl)phenyl]phosphine. Chlorobis(die-
thylamino)phosphine (39.00 g, 196 mmol) in THF (50 mL)
2484 | Dalton Trans., 2008, 2480–2486
This journal is
The Royal Society of Chemistry 2008
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