Frustrated Lewis Pair Adduct of Atomic P(-1) as a Source of Phosphinidenes (PR), Diphosphorus (P₂), and Indium Phosphide

We report phosphinidenes (PR) stabilized by an intramolecular frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) chelate. These adducts include the parent phosphinidene, PH, which is accessed via thermolysis of coordinated HPCO. The reported FLP-PH species acts as a springboard to other phosphorus-containing compounds, such as FLP-adducts of diphosphorus (P-2) and InP3. Our new adducts participate in thermal- or light-induced phosphinidene elimination (of both PH and PR, R=organic group), transfer P-2 units to an organic substrate, and yield the useful semiconductor InP at only 110 degrees C from solution.