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Photolytic Reductive Elimination of White Phosphorus from a Mononuclear cyclo ‐P 4 Transition Metal Complex
Author(s) -
Mandla Kyle A.,
Moore Curtis E.,
Rheingold Arnold L.,
Figueroa Joshua S.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201809042
Subject(s) - white phosphorus , phosphorus , molybdenum , chemistry , transition metal , molecule , yield (engineering) , inorganic chemistry , ammonia , catalysis , organic chemistry , materials science , metallurgy
Elemental white phosphorus (P 4 ) is well recognized as a critical precursor to organophosphorus compounds. However, regulatory constraints stemming from the toxic and pyrophoric nature of white phosphorus have significantly limited its accessibility. Herein is described a new approach to white phosphorus storage and release based on a unique example of photolytic reductive elimination of the tetrahedral P 4 molecule from a mononuclear cyclo‐P 4 molybdenum complex. The latter functions as an air‐stable, chemically‐deactivated source of white phosphorus. The system features efficient photo‐release of white phosphorus using inexpensive violet LED sources. Additionally, high‐yield recapture of unspent white phosphorus by the molybdenum center can be achieved by post‐photolysis heating at convenient temperatures.