Functionalized phosphorus derivatives of Salpen-like compounds: Synthesis and preliminary complexation studies

A new class of Salpen analogues based on phosphorus derivatives where the classical alkylene backbone has been replaced by a N–P–N linkage is described. Such linkage both affords a very good stability in water and an additional (fifth) potentially complexing site. The classical ortho-OH groups have been also replaced by various ortho-substituents, including diphenylphosphino groups. The synthesis of these compounds is easy and their structure can be varied at will at several levels. Several ways of synthesis can be used to combine the various fragments constituting these Salpen analogues. The structure of one of these fragments, an azide, was determined by X-ray crystallography. A preliminary study of the complexation ability of some of these new ligands was carried out with groups 10 (Ni) and 11 (Au) elements. Depending on the type of substituents and the type of metals used, these compounds can act as mono-, or tetra-dentate ligands.