Why are the {Cu4N4} rings in copper(I) phosphinimide clusters [Cu{μ-N=PR3}]4 (R = NMe3 or Ph) planar?

Robinson, T.P.; Price, R.D.; Davidson, M.G.; Fox, M.A.; Johnson, A.L.

Abstract

The copper phosphinimide complexes [Cu{μ-N[double bond, length as m-dash]PR3}]4 (1, R = NMe2 and 2, R = Ph) were obtained in good yields from the reactions of Cu[Mes] (Mes = mesityl, C6H2Me3-2,4,6) with the corresponding iminophosphoranes, HNPR3. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 reveal the presence of planar eight-membered {Cu4N4} rings which contrasts with the saddle-shaped {M4N4} rings found in related metal phosphinimide complexes. According to computations, there is negligible aromaticity in the planar {Cu4N4} rings in 1 and 2 and the saddle shape observed in related {M4N4} rings is due to steric factors.

Citation

Robinson, T., Price, R., Davidson, M., Fox, M., & Johnson, A. (2015). Why are the {Cu4N4} rings in copper(I) phosphinimide clusters [Cu{μ-N=PR3}]4 (R = NMe3 or Ph) planar?. Dalton Transactions, 44(12), 5611-5619. https://doi.org/10.1039/c5dt00255a

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 12, 2015
• Publication Date: Mar 28, 2015
• Deposit Date: Mar 3, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 9, 2015
• Journal: Dalton Transactions
• Print ISSN: 1477-9226
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-9234
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 44
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 5611-5619
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/c5dt00255a
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1435823