The Preparation and X-Ray Structure of [AsPh4][Ph2P(S)NSiMe3] · 0.5 THF

The reaction of Ph₂P(S)N(SiMe₃)₂ with potassium tert-butoxide in a 1:1 molar ratio produces KPh₂P(S)NSiMe₃], which was converted to the AsPh₄⁺ salt by metathesis with AsPh₄]Cl. The X-ray crystal structure of AsPh₄]Ph₂P(S)NSiMe₃] · 0.5 THF consists of noninteracting AsPh₄⁺ and Ph₂P(S)NSiMe₃^? ions with d(P? S) = 1.980(4) Å and d(P? N) = 1.555(8) Å. The PNSi bite angle in the anion is 136.3(5)°. Electrophilic attack by Ph₂P(S)Cl occurs at the sulfur atom of Ph₂P(S)NSiMe₃^?. The oxidation of the anion with iodine produces a disulfide which regenerates KPh₂P(S)NSiMe₂] upon treatment with potassium tert-butoxide.