Lower and Upper Rim Modified Derivatives of 1,3,5-Triaza-7-phosphaadamantane: Coordination Chemistry and Applications in Catalytic Reactions in Water

In this article, a brief review of the recent functionalizations of the cage-like watersoluble phosphine 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA), involving N-quaternization (lower rim) and introduction of a side arm in C-6 position (upper rim) will be presented, highlighting selected examples in their use as ligands for ruthenium(II), iridium(I), and rhodium(I) moieties together with applications of the related complexes in homogeneous catalysis.