O=P(i-PrNCH2CH2)3NCH3+: Novel effect of quaternization on the structural metrics of the bicyclic cage
Abstract
The title cation features the longest distance between the bridgehead atoms (3.56 Å) so far recorded for phosphatrane cages despite a nontetrahedral CNbrigeheadC angle (∼114°). The 70.8° NbridgeheadCCN torsion angles in the bridging moieties produce a substantial twist along the C3 axis of the structure that does not easily allow racemization of the cage. The resulting rigidity of the twisted cage gives rise to AB patterns for the methylene protons of this cation and its analogues. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 10:255–258, 1999