Abstract
Addition of compounds with a P-H bond to Schiff bases of both simple and macrocyclic compounds proceeds smoothly as a non catalysed thermally initialised reaction in an inert solvent. For macrocyclic systems and bulky phosphorus substituents a stereoselective formation of the trans isomer was confirmed by X ray analysis.
The addition is reversible, and the reverse reaction is catalysed by Lewis acids, The trans orientation of phosphorus substituents on the macrocycle ring, the stereochemical rigidity of molecules and reversibility of the addition limit the use of the compounds formed in such manner as ligands.