Neutral and Cationic Zirconium Complexes Bearing Multidentate Aminophenolato Ligands for Hydrophosphination Reactions of Alkenes and Heterocumulenes

Zirconium complexes supported by multi dentate aminophenolato ligands were synthesized and characterized. The catalytic activities of neutral zirconium complexes and their cationic derivatives in the hydro-phosphination of alkenes as well as heterocumulenes have been investigated and compared. Neutral complex 1 bearing a multidentate amino mono(phenolato) ligand exhibited high activity in hydrophosphination of simple alkenes, and anti-Markovnikov products were obtained in 37-94% yields at room temperature. Cationic species generated in situ from complex 3 stabilized by a bis(phenolato) ligand were found to be more active for hydrophosphination of heterocumulenes, i.e., carbodiimides and isocyanates, and gave phosphaguanidines and phosphaureas in 67-93% yields. The Lewis acidity and coordination space of metal centers are modified through changes in the ligand structure, which is found to significantly influence catalytic activity. These complexes are among the most active group 4 metal-based catalysts for hydrophosphination reactions.