Photoswitchable electron-rich phosphines: using light to modulate the electron-donating ability of phosphines

Chem Commun (Camb). 2023 Oct 5;59(80):12019-12022. doi: 10.1039/d3cc04050j.

Abstract

The synthesis and properties of photoswitchable electron-rich phosphines containing N-heterocyclic imines equipped with a photochromic dithienylethene unit are reported. Heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy and UV/vis studies reveal that the imine substituents undergo reversible electrocyclic ring-closing and ring-opening reactions upon exposure to UV and visible light, respectively. The photoisomerization alters the electron-donating ability of the phosphines by up to ΔTEP = 8 cm-1.