Synthesis of an Azaphosphatriptycene and Its Rhodium Carbonyl Complex

A 10-aza-9-phosphatriptycene is accessible on a gram scale, in three laboratory steps from commercially available precursors. Infrared spectroscopy of a rhodium­(I) carbonyl complex bearing this ligand reflects the weak σ-donor/strong π-acceptor character of the phosphine; the solid-state structure reveals moderate steric demand. This ligand supports highly active catalysts for the hydroformylation of cyclic alkenes