Mo Liu

• Mchem (Hons) Chemistry
• Synthesis of Bis (borane diisopropylphosphino) Methyl Calcium, a Phosphine-stablised Novelty Carbanion System

During this time of summer research, with kind assistance from Yasmin Vajeth, a new carbanion system stabilized by sterically congested phosphine borane, namely bis (borane diisopropylphosphino) methyl calcium, was synthesized from a seven-step procedure. The synthesis, being an unprecedented combination of alkylation, metalation and metathesis, caused significant difficulties in terms of purification. Diisopropylmethylphoshoine, for example, a crucial intermediate generated from methylation of pure diisoproplychlorophosphine, insisted in coexisting with unknown phosphine impurities. It was after five attempts of synthesis and distillation did I finally isolate diisopropylmethylphosphine from impurities, though further research will be required to unravel the true cause of such obstruction. Nonetheless, the success of the synthesis route, albeit a complex procedure with modest yield (overall 10.41%), provides a great opportunity for chemists to look into the unique properties of carbanions as ligands in organometallic and pharmaceutical researches.

Funding source: Newcastle University

Supervisor: Dr Keith Izod