Direct synthesis of trifluoromethyl decorated diphenylphosphites. Unusual non-bonded structural features in bis-[(2-trifluoromethyl)phenylphosphite: [2-(CF₃)C₆H₄]₂P(O)H]

Abstract

A direct, Grignard reagent-based route for the syntheses of [2-(CF₃)C₆H₄]₂P(O)H (1) and [3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃]₂P(O)H (2) has been developed and the isolation and characterization of these crystalline reagents is described. The crystal structures for 1 and 2 were determined and the structure of 1 reveals unexpected close non-bonded interaction between F-atoms of one CF₃ group and the back-side of the central phosphorus atom.

Keywords:

• trifluoromethyl group
• diphenylphosphite
• Grignard reagent
• X-ray crystal structures
• non-bonded phosphorus–fluorine interactions

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the US Department of Energy, Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences Office, Office of Basic Energy Sciences (Grant DE-FG02-03ER 15419) for financial support of this work.