Superphenylphosphines: Nanographene-Based Ligands That Control Coordination Geometry and Drive Supramolecular Assembly

Jordan N. Smith, James M. Hook, Nigel T. Lucas*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Tertiary phosphines remain widely utilized in synthesis, most notably as supporting ligands in metal complexes. A series of triarylphosphines bearing one to three hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC) substituents has been prepared by an efficient divergent route. These "superphenylphosphines", P{HBC(t-Bu) 5 } n Ph 3-n (n = 1-3), form the palladium complexes PdCl 2 L 2 and Pd 2 Cl 4 L 2 where the isomer distribution in solution is dependent on the number of HBC substituents. The crystalline structures of five complexes all show intramolecular π-stacking between HBC-phosphines to form a supramolecular bidentate-like ligand that distorts the metal coordination geometry. When n = 2 or 3, the additional HBC substituents engage in intermolecular π-stacking to assemble the complexes into continuous ribbons or sheets. The phosphines adopt HBC's characteristics including strong optical absorption, green emission, and redox activity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1131-1141
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume140
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Jan 2018
Externally publishedYes

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