Comparison of 2‑Arylnaphtho[2,3‑<i>b</i>]phospholes and 2‑Arylbenzo[<i>b</i>]phospholes: Effects of 2‑Aryl Groups and Fused Arene Moieties on Their Optical and Photophysical Properties

Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions were used in the divergent synthesis of a series of 2-arylnaphtho­[2,3-b]­phosphole P-oxides and their benzo­[b]­phosphole counterparts. We elucidated the electronic and steric effects of the 2-aryl groups and fused arene moieties on the optical and photophysical properties of these two types of phosphole-based π-systems.