Synthesis, structure, and redox properties of crowded triarylphosphines carrying 2,6-diarylphenyl substituents

Crowded triarylphosphines carrying 2,6-diarylphenyl and 2,4,6-trialkylphenyl groups were synthesized by the reaction of arylcopper(I) reagent with the chlorophosphines. The triarylphosphines had large bond angles and lengths around the phosphorus and were reversibly oxidized at significantly low potentials. X-ray crystallography of bis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)[4-methyl-2,6-di(1-naphthyl)phenyl]phosphine revealed that two 1-naphthyl groups took anti conformation in the crystal.