METHYL PHOSPHINEACETATES—SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION AS POTENTIAL LIGANDS

Abstract
Two series of methyl phosphineacetates with the general formulae Ph3-nP(CH2CO2Me)n, n = 1–3, and RP(CH2CO2Me)2, R[dbnd]Me, Et, i-Pr, were synthesized by a BF3-catalyzed reaction of the acids or their hydrohalides with methanol. The products were characterized by IR, 1H, 13C and 31P NMR and mass spectra and their properties that are important for the coordination behaviour (basicity, electronic parameters and cone angles) were determined. A new method for cone angle estimation based on a systematic search for crystal structure data was proposed.