The C α ‐Deprotonated Iminophosphorane Ph 2 P(CH 2 Py)(NSiMe 3 ) as an N , N ‐Chelating Ligand for Iron and Zinc

The iminophosphorane Ph 2 P(CH 2 Py)(NSiMe 3 ) (Py = NC 5 H 4 ) is deprotonated at the C α ‐position in a reaction with [M{N(SiMe 3 ) 2 } 2 ] (M = Fe 2+ , Zn 2+ ) to give metallaspirocycles in which the metal cations are N , N ‐chelated by the ring‐ and imino‐nitrogen atoms of both monoanionic ligands. The molecular structures of [M{Ph 2 P(CHPy)(NSiMe 3 )} 2 ] [M = Fe ( 1 ), Zn ( 2 )] are discussed and general trends in the bonding of the [Ph 2 P(CHPy)(NSiMe 3 )] − anion on metal coordination are deduced. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)