PHOSPHINE DISPLACEMENT-REACTIONS BY SOME ALKYL-SUBSTITUTED 1,10-PHENANTHROLINES WITH BIS(TRIPHENYLPHOSPHINE)COPPER(I)TETRAHYDROBORATE

The displacement reactions of various alkyl-substituted 1,10-phenanthr olines with bis(triphenylphosphine)-copper(I)tetrahydroborate [(Ph3P)2 CU(BH4)] have been investigated. Two series of products from these dis placement reactions: (phen)Cu(BH4) (series 1) and (phen)(Ph3P)Cu(BH4) (series 2) have been identified via their spectroscopic properties. Bo th series 1 and 2 products contain the bidentate tetrahydroborate (eta 2-BH4) group, while the series 2 products also involve the coordinatio n of triphenylphosphine [PPh3] to the copper(I) centre. In some instan ces, both series of products may be observed for the same phenanthroli ne ligand employed. Some series 1 products in the presence of PPh3 can be converted to their conjugate series 2 products. Both series of dis placement products have been characterised by spectroscopic methods: H -1, C-13, B-11 and P-31 NMR and FT-IR.