RESUMEN
The water/base intolerance of the previously reported electrophilic phosphonium cations has been overcome by replacing the labile electron-withdrawing groups generally attached to phosphorus (e.g. -F, -OAr, -CF3) with methyl groups. Tri-phosphorus(v) tricationic species, accessible in one-pot from commercially available materials, are air and water/base tolerant, yet are sufficiently Lewis acidic for catalysis.
RESUMEN
A new class of electrophilic phosphonium cations (EPCs) containing a -CF3 group attached to the phosphorus(v) center is readily accessible in high yields, via a scalable process. These species are stable to air, water, alcohol and strong Brønsted acid, even at raised temperatures. Thus, P-CF3 EPCs are more robust than previously reported EPCs containing P-X moieties (X = F, Cl, OR), and despite their reduced Lewis acidity they function as Lewis acid catalysts without requiring anhydrous reaction conditions.
RESUMEN
Part of the renaissance in main group chemistry has been a result of the focus on reactivity. This has led to the development of applications in stoichiometric reactivity and catalysis. In this tutorial review, we focus attention on the role of phosphorus-based Lewis acids in such advances. While early literature recognizes the role of P(iii) and P(v) electrophiles in coordination chemistry, it has generally been more recent studies that have focused on applications of this Lewis acidity. Applications of these novel P-based Lewis acids in stoichiometric reactivity, Lewis acid catalysis and frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) reactivity are reviewed. These advances demonstrate that P-based Lewis acids are a powerful tool for further developments in metal-free catalysis.