Phosphorus is often referred to as the “carbon copy” because it is isolobal to many common fragments in organic chemistry – including unsaturated, conjugated motifs. Our research focuses on developing the synthesis of novel organophosphorus compounds, and investigating their properties and reactivity.
We have synthesized phosphorus-containing analogues of many simple organic molecules, including cyanide, urea, and isocyanic acid. These organophosphorus compounds provide entry points for the synthesis of more complex phosphorus-containing molecules, and have potential applications for use in other fields such as materials science.
Recently, we have found that a magnesium complex of the cyaphide ion (C≡P–) can be prepared by the reduction of a silyl-functionalized phosphaethynolate. By analogy to Grignard reagents, this can be used to transfer the cyaphide ligand into the coordination sphere of metals through straightforward salt-metathesis reactions.[1]
PCO– can also be derivatised by reaction with amines under acidic conditions, yielding the corresponding phosphinecarboxamides. These inorganic analogues of urea are rare examples of air-stable primary phosphines, with promising materials applications.[2]
[1] D. W. N. Wilson, S. J. Urwin, E. S. Yang, J. M. Goicoechea, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 10367–10373.
[2] A. R. Jupp, J. M. Goicoechea, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 19131–19134
The College of Arts