Polyimido sulfur(VI) phosphanyl ligand in metal complexation.

Herein, new complexes containing the Ph2PCH2S(NtBu)3 anion are presented, supplying three imido nitrogen atoms and a remote phosphorus atom as potential donor sites to main group and transition-metal cations. The lithiated complex [(tmeda)Li{(NtBu)3SCH2PPh2}] (1) is an excellent starting material in transmetalation reactions. Herein, the transition-metal complexes [M{(NtBu)3SCH2PPh2}2] (M=Mn (2), Ni (3), Zn (4)) were synthesized and structurally characterized. Their isotypical molecules show SN2 chelation and no employment of the adjacent phosphorus atom in coordination. The third pendent imido group is always twisted toward the vacant face of the tetrahedrally coordinated sulfur atom.