NHC-Mediated Aggregation of P₄: Isolation of a P₁₂ Cluster

Abstract

Just like transition metal complexes, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) promote the aggregation of white phosphorus (P4) as shown by the high yield synthesis of a P12 cluster capped by two NHCs. The nuclearity observed is equal to that of the largest phosphorus cluster prepared using transition metals, but the architecture of the P12 core is entirely novel.