Transformation of Phosphaalkynes into 1H- and 2H-Phosphirenes1

Abstract The 2H-phosphirene 4 is synthesized from the spirocyclic 3H-1,2,4-diazaphosphole 1 by low temperature photolysis. The isomeric 1H-phosphirenes 7 are formed by a [2+1]-cycloaddition process of chlorocarbenes, generated from diazirines. onto the triple bond of phosphaalkynes. When the 1-chlon-1H-phosphirenes 7 are allowed to react with a series of nucleophiles substitution occurs yielding the 1H-phosphirenes 9, 11 and 12. The existance of a phosphirenium cations, for instance 13 is discussed.