ACID-BASE CHEMISTRY OF [PCl2N]3

An understanding of the chemistry of [15NPCl2]3 is very important because this trimer is the major precursor to phosphazene polymers. In order to understand its sensitivity toward reaction conditions, [15NPCl2]3 has been synthesized and characterized by modern spectral techniques. The goal of the study was to detect reactive impurities in the trimer, impurities that may account for the irreproducibility of the ring opening polymerization. Reactions of [15NPCl2]3 with various acids and bases were conducted and the products have been characterized by multinuclear and variable temperature NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Particular attention was given to understanding the reactivity at the 15N site toward acid and base reagents.