Aminoalkyl-H-phosphinic acids, also called aminoalkylphosphonous acids, are investigated as biologically active analogues of carboxylic amino acids and/or as valuable intermediates for synthesis of other aminoalkylphosphorus acids. Their synthesis has been mostly accomplished by phospha-Mannich reaction of a P-H precursor, an aldehyde and an amine. The reaction is rarely clean and high-yielding. Here, reaction of H3PO2 with secondary amines and formaldehyde in wet AcOH led to aminomethyl-H-phosphinic acids in nearly quantitative yields and with almost no by-products. Surprisingly, the reaction outcome depended on the basicity of the amines. Amines with pK a > 7-8 gave the desired products. For less basic amines, reductive N-methylation coupled with oxidation of H3PO2 to H3PO3 became a relevant side reaction. Primary amines reacted less clearly and amino-bis(methyl-H-phosphinic acids) were obtained only for very basic amines. Reaction yields with higher aldehydes were lower. Unique carboxylic-phosphinic-phosphonic acids as well as poly(H-phosphinic acids) derived from polyamines were obtained. Synthetic usefulness of the aminoalkyl-H-phosphinic was illustrated in P-H bond oxidation and its addition to double bonds, and in selective amine deprotection. Compounds with an ethylene-diamine fragment, e.g. most common polyazamacrocycles, are not suitable substrates. The X-ray solid-state structures of seventeen aminoalkyl-phosphinic acids were determined. In the reaction mechanism, N-hydroxyalkyl species R2NCH2OH and [R2N(CH2OH)2]+, probably stabilized as acetate esters, are suggested as the reactive intermediates. This mechanism is an alternative one to the known phospha-Mannich reaction mechanisms. The conditions can be utilized in syntheses of various aminoalkylphosphorus compounds.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Three 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-based ligands disubstituted in 1,4-positions with phosphonic acid, phosphonate monoethyl-ester, and H-phosphinic acid pendant arms, 1,4-H4do2p, 1,4-H2do2pOEt, and 1,4-H2Bn2do2pH, were synthesized and their coordination to selected metal ions, Mg(II), Ca(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), Eu(III), Gd(III), and Tb(III), was investigated. The solid-state structure of the phosphonate ligand, 1,4-H4do2p, was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Protonation constants of the ligands and stability constants of their complexes were obtained by potentiometry, and their values are comparable to those of previously studied analogous 1,7-disubstitued cyclen derivatives. The Gd(III) complex of 1,4-H4do2p is ~1 order of magnitude more stable than the Gd(III) complex of the 1,7-analogue, probably due to the disubstituted ethylenediamine-like structural motif in 1,4-H4do2p enabling more efficient wrapping of the metal ion. Stability of Gd(III)-1,4-H2do2pOEt and Gd(III)-H2Bn2do2pH complexes is low and the constants cannot be determined due to precipitation of the metal hydroxide. Protonations of the Cu(II), Zn(II), and Gd(III) complexes probably takes place on the coordinated phosphonate groups. Complexes of Mn(II) and alkali-earth metal ions are significantly less stable and are not formed in acidic solutions. Potential presence of water molecule(s) in the coordination spheres of the Mn(II) and Ln(III) complexes was studied by variable-temperature NMR experiments. The Mn(II) complexes of the ligands are not hydrated. The Gd(III)-1,4-H4do2p complex undergoes hydration equilibrium between mono- and bis-hydrated species. Presence of two-species equilibrium was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy of the Eu(III)-1,4-H4do2p complex and hydration states were also determined by luminescence measurements of the Eu(III)/Tb(III)-1,4-H4do2p complexes.

• Keywords
• MRI contrast agents, copper, cyclen derivatives, gadolinium, macrocyclic ligands, manganese, metal complexes, phosphinate ligands, phosphonate ligands, protonation constants, stability constants,
• MeSH
• Cyclams MeSH
• Europium chemistry   MeSH
• Gadolinium chemistry   MeSH
• Heterocyclic Compounds chemistry   MeSH
• Coordination Complexes chemical synthesis   chemistry   MeSH
• Contrast Media MeSH
• Crystallography, X-Ray MeSH
• Phosphinic Acids chemistry   MeSH
• Ligands MeSH
• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy MeSH
• Manganese chemistry   MeSH
• Organophosphonates chemistry   MeSH
• Potentiometry MeSH
• Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet MeSH
• Temperature MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• cyclen MeSH Browser
• Cyclams MeSH
• ethyl phosphonate MeSH Browser
• Europium MeSH
• Gadolinium MeSH
• Heterocyclic Compounds MeSH
• Coordination Complexes MeSH
• Contrast Media MeSH
• Phosphinic Acids MeSH
• Ligands MeSH
• Manganese MeSH
• Organophosphonates MeSH