1,1'-Bis(diphenylphosphine oxide)ferrocene dihydrate

The title compound, 1,1'-ferrocenediylbis(diphenylphosphine oxide) dihydrate, [Fe(C 17 H 14 OP) 2 ].2H 2 O, was obtained by oxidation of bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene with trimethylamine oxide. The Fe atom sits on a molecular centre of symmetry and the two Cp rings are planar with a staggered configuration. The two phosphoryl groups are trans with respect to the Fe(Cp) 2 group