Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Nickel(II) Phosphoranide Complex <i>trans</i>-(PMe₃)₂[(C₄H₆O₃)₂P-<i>P</i>]NiCl

Abstract

The first nickel phosphoranide complex, trans-(PMe3)2[(C4H6O3)2P-P]NiCl, was prepared by the deprotonation of the hydrophosphorane (OCMe2C(O)O)2PH, using LiC4H9 followed by reaction with NiCl2(PMe3)2. It is suggested that this route has promise as a general route to metalated phosphoranes. The compound has been structurally characterized using 1H and 31P{1H} NMR as well as X-ray crystallography. The structure of the phosphoranes moiety displays a distorted trigonal bipyramid.