Reactivity of Lewis pairs (R_2PCH_2AlMe_2)_2 with carbon dioxide

摘要

Species R_2PCH_2AIMe_2 (R = Me, Ph) are stable Lewis adducts but still react with CO_2 both in solution and in the solid state. The CO_2 adducts undergo a rearrangement unprecedented for ambiphilic molecules to form aluminium carboxylates. A new spirocyclic compound was also obtained by double Lewis pair activation of CO_2.