25: N-Heterocyclic carbene-supported cuprous phosphaethynolates and their P-atom transfer

Abstract: Transition metal phosphaethynolates have emerged as promising reagents for phosphorus atom transfer. Among them, low-coordinate Cu(I) complexes have attracted considerable attention due to their versatility in organic synthesis and catalytic applications. Herein, we report the synthesis of two 2-coordinate copper(I) phosphaethynolates, NHC*-CuPCO and NHC–CuPCO and demonstrate their ability to undergo intramolecular phosphorus atom transfer. This process leads to the formation of NHC*=PH and NHC=PH species, offering a direct and efficient route to access PH-functionalized imidazole derivatives. Structural and spectroscopic analyses provide strong evidence supporting the feasibility of this phosphorus atom transfer chemistry at low-coordinate copper(I) centers.