Iminophosphorane is a kind of organophosphorus compound with the formula . Like the corresponding phosphine oxides and Wittig reagents, iminophosphoranes are ylides. Their bonding is described by two resonance structures.[1]
Aza-ylides can be obtained via the reaction of a tertiary phosphine and an organic azide with the loss of dinitrogen. Triphenylphosphine is a commonly used phosphine.
The parent iminophosphorane has the formula (registry number 25682-80-8) remains only of theoretical interest. Of practical value are derivatives of triorganophosphines and organic amines. A prototype is the phenyl imide derivative of triphenylphosphine, a white, lipophilic solid.
Bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium chloride, a common iminophosphorane, is prepared in two steps from triphenylphosphine :[2]
An iminophosphorane is obtainable from trimethylsilyl azide and triphenylphosphine. Desilylation gives the anion .[3]
Iminophosphoranes are one of the components in the aza-Wittig reaction. The other component is an aldehyde or a ketone. They also are components of the Staudinger ligation.[4]