Azadiphosphaindane‐1,3‐diyls: A Class of Resonance‐Stabilized Biradicals

Conversion of 1,2‐bis(dichlorophosphino)benzene with sterically demanding primary amines led to the formation of 1,3‐dichloro‐2‐aza‐1,3‐diphosphaindanes of the type C(6)H(4)(μ‐PCl)(2)N‐R. Reduction yielded the corresponding 2‐aza‐1,3‐diphosphaindane‐1,3‐diyls (1), which can be described as phosphorus‐centered singlet biradical(oid)s. Their stability depends on the size of the substituent R: While derivatives with R=Dmp (2,6‐dimethylphenyl) or Ter (2,6‐dimesitylphenyl) underwent oligomerization, the derivative with very bulky R=(tBu)Bhp (2,6‐bis(benzhydryl)‐4‐tert‐butylphenyl) was stable with respect to oligomerization in its monomeric form. Oligomerization involved activation of the fused benzene ring by a second equivalent of the monomeric biradical and can be regarded as formal [2+2] (poly)addition reaction. Calculations indicate that the biradical character in 1 is comparable with literature‐known P‐centered biradicals. Ring‐current calculations show aromaticity within the entire ring system of 1.