Diazaphosphacycle transition metal complexes

1. A transition metal complex, comprising a diazaphosphacycle of formula III and a transition metal, wherein the phosphorus atom of the diazaphosphacycle is bonded to the transition metal and the diazaphosphacycle of formula III has the following structure

wherein

R 1 is selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted alkenyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl groups, and substituted and unsubstituted ferrocenyl groups;

R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted heterocyclyl groups, and substituted and unsubstituted ferrocenyl groups;

R 4 is selected from the group consisting of —H, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups, trialkylsilyl groups, triarylsilyl groups, alkyldiarylsilyl groups, dialkylarylsilyl groups, groups, —S(═O) 2 —R 6 groups, —P(═O)R 6 R 7 groups, and —C(═NR 6 )—R 7 groups;

R 5 is selected from the group consisting of —H, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups, trialkylsilyl groups, triarylsilyl groups, alkyldiarylsilyl groups, dialkylarylsilyl groups, —C(═O)—R 7 groups, —S(═O) 2 —R 6 groups, —P(═O)R 6 R 7 groups, and —C(═NR 6 )—R 7 groups;

R 6 is selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted alkyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted alkenyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups, —OH groups, substituted and unsubstituted alkoxy groups, substituted and unsubstituted aryloxy groups, —NH(alkyl) groups, —NH(aryl) groups, —N(aryl) 2 groups, —N(alkyl) 2 groups, —N(alkyl)(aryl) groups, —S-alkyl groups, and S-aryl groups;

R 7 is selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted alkyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted alkenyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups, —OH groups, substituted and unsubstituted alkoxy groups, substituted and unsubstituted aryloxy groups, —NH(alkyl) groups, —NH(aryl) groups, —N(aryl) 2 groups, —N(alkyl) 2 groups, —N(alkyl)(aryl) groups, —S-alkyl groups, and S-aryl groups;

R 6 and R 7 may be part of the same alkyl group, alkenyl group, or aryl group such that R 4 and R 5 together with the two nitrogen atoms of the diazaphosphacycle form a ring; and

Y is a linking group selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups, substituted and unsubstituted alkenyl groups, silyl groups, substituted alkyl groups, and groups having the formula —(CH 2 ) n — wherein n is selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, and 3.

2. The transition metal complex of claim 1 , wherein the transition metal is selected from the group consisting of Rh, Ru, Pd, Pt, Ir, Ni, Co, and Fe.

3. The transition metal complex of claim 1 , wherein the transition metal complex has catalytic activity.

4. The transition metal complex of claim 1 , wherein n is 0.

5. The transition metal complex of claim 4 , wherein R 4 and R 5 are both —H.

6. The transition metal complex of claim 4 , wherein R 4 is a —C(═O)—R 6 group and R 5 is a —C(═O)—R 7 group.

7. The transition metal complex of claim 6 , wherein, the diazaphosphacycle has the formula IX

wherein the aromatic benzene ring in the diazaphosphacycle of formula IX may be substituted or unsubstituted.

8. The transition metal complex of claim 7 , wherein the transition metal is selected from the group consisting of Rh, Ru, Pd, Pt, Ir, Ni, Co, and Fe.

9. The transition metal complex of claim 7 , wherein the transition metal complex has catalytic activity.

10. The transition metal complex of claim 1 , wherein Y is a cycloalkyl group, wherein one of the N atoms is bonded to a first ring member C atom of the cycloalkyl group and the other N atom is bonded to a second ring member C atom that is bonded to the first ring member C atom.

11. The transition metal complex of claim 1 , wherein Y has the formula

and the benzene ring of Y may be additionally substituted.

12. The transition metal complex of claim 1 , wherein the diazaphosphacycle has the formula IIIA, the formula IIIB, or is a mixture thereof

13. The transition metal complex of claim 12 , wherein the transition metal is selected from the group consisting of Rh, Ru, Pd, Pt, It, Ni, Co, and Fe.

14. The transition metal complex of claim 12 , wherein the transition metal complex has catalytic activity.

15. The transition metal complex of claim 1 , wherein the diazaphosphacycle has the formula IIIC

16. The transition metal complex of claim 1 , wherein the diazaphosphacycle is present as a mixture of enantiomers.

17. The transition metal complex of claim 1 , wherein the diazaphosphacycle has the formula X

wherein L is a linking group selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted alkyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted alkenyl groups, substituted and unsubstituted aryl groups, and substituted and unsubstituted ferrocenyl groups.

18. The transition metal complex of claim 17 , wherein L is selected from the group consisting of ethane, ethylene, propane, benzene, anthracene, 9,10-dihydroanthracene, xanthene, and ferrocene.

19. The transition metal complex of claim 17 , wherein the transition metal is selected from the group consisting of Rh, Ru, Pd, Pt, li, Ni, Co, and Fe.

20. The transition metal complex of claim 17 , wherein two of the phosphorus atoms of the diazaphosphacycle are bonded to the transition metal.