as an organic cation of impressive thermodynamic durability

Abstract

Recent work by Wasserscheid, et al. suggests that PPh(4)(+) is an organic molecular ion of truly exceptional thermal stability. Herein we provide data that cements that conclusion: specifically, we show that aliphatic moieties of modified PPh(4)(+)-based cations incorporating methyl, methylene, or methine C–H bonds burn away at high temperatures in the presence of oxygen, forming CO, CO(2), and water, leaving behind the parent ion PPh(4)(+). The latter then undergoes no further reaction, at least below 425 °C