Diorganophosphanylphosphinidenes as Complexed Ligands: Synthesis via an Anionic Terminal Phosphide of Niobium

Reductive cleavage of a bridging diphosphide complex with sodium amalgam affords the sodium salt of the terminal niobium phosphide anion [PNb(N[Np]Ar)3]− (1; Np=neopentyl, Ar=3,5-Me2C6H3), which is best formulated as containing an NbP triple bond. The phosphorus atom of 1 is nucleophilic. Treatment of 1 with ClP(tBu)2 or ClP(Ph)2 provides η2-phosphanylphosphinidene complexes, which are the first examples of such complexed ligands bound to an early-transition-metal fragment. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2004/z52779_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.