Silicon based phosphines with P-Si-P, P-C-Si-C-P and P-O-Si-O-P linkages and their coordination chemistry and catalytic applications

The synthesis and coordination chemistry of bis- and tris(phosphines) with P-Si-P, P-O-Si-O-P and P-C-Si-C-P linkages is reviewed. The catalytic reactions involving organometallic complexes of silylphosphines are presented. The silylbis- and tris(phosphines) show remarkable versatility in their coordination behavior with transition metals. The improved solubility of these ligands and their complexes facilitated spectroscopic studies to compliment the structural information obtained via single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The syntheses and reactivity of other related acyclic and cyclic systems with P-N-Si-N-P and P-aryl-Si-aryl-P linkages are also briefly described. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.