Role of Steric Strain in the Chemistry of Phosphiranes

Abstract

The reaction of transient [MeP-W­(CO)₅] with norbornene gives the two corresponding <i>exo</i> phosphiranes with W <i>syn</i> or <i>anti</i> to the norbornane bridge. The <i>syn</i> complex is selectively decomplexed by carbon monoxide at 120 °C under 50 bar. Both complexes are easily cleaved by Pd­(OAc)₂ at room temperature to give [MeP­(OAc)₂)]­W­(CO)₅