Geometrically constrained phosphorus compounds as key species in N–H bond activation reactions and subsequent catalytic applications

• Applicant: Dr. Josh Abbenseth
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 564415588

Strictly T-shaped phosphines featuring redox-active, rigid NNN donor scaffolds will be evaluated for their potential in hydroamination reactions using ammonia, a “holy grail” in catalysis. Planarized phosphines will be reacted with ammonia to obtain aminophosphines via P–ligand cooperative N–H bond splitting that are prearranged for successive hydroamination reactions of unsaturated organic substrates with the hydroamination of alkenes by ammonia being the main target. Additional activation of the organic coupling partner via cationic gold complexes will be investigated to tune the thermochemical parameters of this transformation. In addition, transition metal complexes of geometrically constrained phosphines and phosphenium cations will be prepared to evaluate the possibility to cleave N–H bonds via transition metal–phosphorus cooperative bond splitting. This process aims to yield reactive transition metal hydride complexes that perform hydroamination reactions with unsaturated organic substrates.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants