Extremely Strong, Uncharged Auxiliary Bases; Monomeric and Polymer‐Supported Polyaminophosphazenes (P2–P5)

The syntheses and properties of novel, extremely strong uncharged polyaminophosphazene bases up to a high level of steric hindrance are described. Most of the systems were readily prepared in up to molar quantities and conveniently recovered from their salts. They are of appreciable to high chemical and thermal stability. Crystal structures of their salts were determined in order to parametrize a force field, which is utilized in molecular modeling studies. The latter offer a rationalization of the high conformational mobility of these systems. These bases cover a range of ca. 15 pK units in basicity and extend the range of uncharged auxiliary bases by ca. 19 pK units up to DMSOpKBH+ values of 34–35. They are proposed as a novel class of auxiliary bases for deprotonation of very low acidic compounds where chemists have been so far left to classical metalorganic bases. Depending on the basicity range and the degree of steric protection of the basic center, these systems are particularly applicable to E2 elimination or to in situ generation of highly reactive “naked” anions.