Phosphaquinomethane and Phosphathienoquinomethanes, and Their Anion Radicals

Phosphaquinomethane and phosphathienoquinomethanes sterically protected by Mes* (Mes* = 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl) were synthesized by 1,6-dehydration of the corresponding 4-phosphinoaryl carbinols. Structural similarities to the conventional quinoid compounds were revealed by 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR study and further confirmed by X-ray crystallography of the phosphathienoquinomethane. The corresponding anion radicals were generated by reduction with sodium, and considerable delocalization of an unpaired electron was demonstrated by EPR.