Synthesis of Hexakis(4-nitrophenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene

In this experiment you will be preparing a cyclotriphosphazene derivative by a substitution reaction where the chlorine (formally a chloride ion) bonded to phosphorus atoms with be substituted by an oxygen containing ion. In this process the salt KCl will be formed.

Substitution reactions are very common in synthetic chemistry (the chemistry of making new compounds). The formation of a highly ionic salt is a helpful driving force in many of these reactions since the lattice energy can contribute considerably to the reaction enthalpy. 

Please follow the procedures described in your lab book on pages 193-196.

As part of the characterization of your product please also take a ³¹P NMR spectrum. Compare your spectrum to that of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene. The TAs will explain the operation of the NMR spectrometer.

For your lab report:

Please answer questions 1, 3 and 4 in the lab book on page 196. Please also answer the following questions.

A. What is the oxidation state of the phosphorus and nitrogen atoms in hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene? Your product? 

B. Give Lewis dot structures for hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene. Include resonance forms involving the ring.

Below are some spectra (IR and ³¹P NMR) of the starting materials that you might find useful in this experiment.