Phosphorus Can Also Be a Photocopy

The syntheses of benzoxaphospholes and new benzobisoxaphospholes that display blue fluorescence are presented. The latter compounds were accessed by the use of a new precursor, 2,5-diphosphinohydroquinone. The new compounds were fully characterized, including a structural study of 2,6-tert-butylbenzo[1,2-d;4,5-d']bisoxaphosphole. Quantum yields for photoluminescence were determined for a series of compounds. These materials feature bona fide P=C p-p pi bonds suitable for conjugated materials having phosphorus as a participatory atom and can thus photocopy the properties of other conjugated organic molecules.