Martin's Phosphino-Triol Revisited: Unexpected P-C Bond Cleavage Reactions and Their Suppression via Complexation of Al3+ and Sc3+

A revised synthesis of Martin's phosphino-triols (two derivatives) is reported. Once isolated, these thermally sensitive triols were shown to disassemble selectively via an unexpected P-C bond cleavage reaction. This degradation pathway was effectively suppressed via complexation of Al3+ and Sc3+. In the resulting half-cage complexes, the ligand scaffold is bound to each metal (Al(3+ )and Sc3+, respectively) via all four donor atoms. So far, this kappa(4)-P,O,O',O ''-coordination mode has not been observed for any other phosphino-triol.

Automated summary

A revised synthesis of Martin's phosphino-triols was reported, demonstrating their selective disassembly through an unexpected P-C bond cleavage reaction. This degradation pathway was effectively suppressed by complexation of Al3+ and Sc3+. The resulting half-cage complexes exhibited a unique kappa(4)-P,O,O',O ''-coordination mode not seen in other phosphino-triols.