Synthesis and Use of Borane and Platinum(II) Complexes of 3-Diphenylphosphino-1-phenylphospholane (LuPhos)

3-Diphenylphosphinoyl-1-phenylphospholane 1-oxide (2) obtained by the Michael addition of diphenylphosphine oxide to the double-bond of 1-phenyl-2-phospholene 1-oxide (1) was subjected to double deoxygenation to afford the corresponding bisphosphine (3, LuPhos) that was converted to bis(phosphine borane) 4 and to cis chelate platinum(II) complex 6. A mixed phosphine oxide-phosphine borane 5 was also prepared. Stereostructures of the bidentate P-ligand 3 and the ring platinum(II) complex (6) were evaluated by quantum chemical calculations. Complex 6 used as a catalyst showed modest activity, but unusual regioselectivity in the hydroformylation of styrene and its 4-substituted analogues. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:730-736, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20741