Synthesis and speciation of zirconium tetrafluoride complexes with phosphoryl-containing bases Ph3PO, Bu3PO and (Me2N)3PO in solutions

Abstract

Zirconium fluoro complexes with phosphoryl-containing bases (L) have been synthesized by the reaction of a suspension of ZrF₄(dmso)₂ in toluene with an excess of Ph₃PO or Bu₃PO, as well as (Me₂N)₃PO in CH₂Cl₂. The composition and structure of the complexes in CH₂Cl₂ solutions have been studied by ¹⁹F NMR in the temperature range 293–203 K. Phosphine oxides are substituted for dmso to form mainly cis-tetrafluoro species, insignificant amounts of trans-tetrafluoro species, and mer- and fac-[ZrF₃L₃]⁺ complexes. In addition to these species, the reaction with Bu3PO yields the dimeric oxo complex (µ-O)[ZrF₃(Bu₃PO)₂]₂. Hydrolysis of fluoro complexes in CH₂Cl₂ with the use of an NBu₄OH solution in iso-PrOH does not lead to oxo and hydroxo complexes: first, the [ZrF₅L]^– complex is formed, and the final hydrolysis product is ZrF₆^2-. The fine structure of ¹⁹F NMR resonance lines for the zirconium fluoride compounds [ZrF5L]^–, cis- [ZrF₄L₂], dimeric oxo complex, and mer-[ZrF₃L₃]⁺ in organic solvents has been observed for the first time, which makes it possible to reliably identify the composition and structure of the zirconium coordination polyhedron in the complexes under consideration.