Phosphiranes as ligands for platinum catalysed hydrosilylations

The stability of phosphiranes can be enhanced by inclusion of the PC2 ring into a polycyclic framework. BABAR-Phos type phosphiranes are easily prepared in high yield, they are thermally stable and allow the synthesis of various platinum(0) complexes. In contrast to other platinum(0) phosphine complexes, these are active hydrosilylation catalyst precursors. The reversible insertion of an electron rich metal centre into one P-C bond of the phosphirane ring was demonstrated for the first time. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.