Date of Award

January 2012

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Lothar Stahl

Abstract

Insertion reactions of Group 14 carbenoids, divalent species of the form (R2N)2M (M = Ge or Sn) into the P-halogen bond of halophosphines have been known for some time. However, very few examples have been reported and no evidence has been presented regarding the mechanism by which these reactions take place. Comparatively, insertion of the same or analogous carbenoid species into C-halogen bonds have been

thoroughly explored for scope and application, and the mechanism has been investigated multiple times.

In this dissertation, numerous new examples of insertion products of Group 14 carbenoids into P-halogen bonds are presented. This array of products has been characterized by 31P{1H} and 1H NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In addition, purity of the obtained compounds has been confirmed by elemental analyses.

In concert with a diverse group of products, kinetic experiments were employed to examine the possible mechanistic pathways. All reasonable pathways for these reactions are discussed, analyzed and compared. Additionally, as most tin-containing insertion products are unstable, the likely mechanisms for their decomposition are discussed in detail.

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