(NH4)Bi2(IO3)2F5: An Unusual Ammonium‐Containing Metal Iodate Fluoride Showing Strong Second Harmonic Generation Response and Thermochromic Behavior

An ammonium‐containing metal iodate fluoride compound, (NH₄)Bi₂(IO₃)₂F₅, featuring a two‐dimensional double‐layered framework constructed by [BiO₂F₅]^6? and [BiO₄F₄]^9? polyhedra, as well as [IO₃]^? groups, was successfully synthesized. The well‐ordered alignment of these SHG‐active units leads to an extraordinary strong SHG response of 9.2 times that of KDP. Moreover, this compound possesses a large birefringence (Δn=0.0690 at 589.3 nm), a wide energy band gap (E_g=3.88 eV), and a high laser damage threshold (LDT; 40.2×AgGaS₂). In particular, thermochromic behavior was observed for the first time in this type of compound. Such multifunctional crystals will expand the application of nonlinear optical materials.     

ABi2(IO3)2F5 (A=K,Rb, and Cs): A Combination of Halide and Oxide Anionic Units To Create a Large Second‐Harmonic Generation Response with a Wide Bandgap

A family of nonlinear optical materials that contain the halide, oxide, and oxyhalide polar units simultaneously in a single structure, namely ABi₂(IO₃)₂F₅ (A=K ( 1 ), Rb ( 2 ), and Cs ( 3 )), have been designed and synthesized. They crystallize in the same polar space group (P 2₁) with a two‐dimensional double‐layered framework constructed by [BiF₅]²⁻ and [BiO₂F₄]⁵⁻ units connected to each other by four F atoms, in which two [IO₃]⁻ groups are linked to [BiO₂F₄]⁵⁻ unit on the same side. A hanging Bi−F bond of [BiF₅]²⁻ unit is located on the other side via ionic interaction with the layer‐inserted alkali metal ions to form three‐dimensional structure. The well‐ordered alignments of these polar units lead to a very strong second‐harmonic generation response of 12 ( 1 ), 9.5 ( 2 ), and 7.5 ( 3 ) times larger than that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate under 1064 nm laser radiation. All of them exhibited a wide energy bandgap over 3.75 eV, suggesting that they will have a high laser damage threshold.     

ABi2(IO3)2F5 (A=K,Rb, and Cs): A Combination of Halide and Oxide Anionic Units To Create a Large Second‐Harmonic Generation Response with a Wide Bandgap

A family of nonlinear optical materials that contain the halide, oxide, and oxyhalide polar units simultaneously in a single structure, namely ABi₂(IO₃)₂F₅ (A=K ( 1 ), Rb ( 2 ), and Cs ( 3 )), have been designed and synthesized. They crystallize in the same polar space group (P 2₁) with a two‐dimensional double‐layered framework constructed by [BiF₅]²⁻ and [BiO₂F₄]⁵⁻ units connected to each other by four F atoms, in which two [IO₃]⁻ groups are linked to [BiO₂F₄]⁵⁻ unit on the same side. A hanging Bi−F bond of [BiF₅]²⁻ unit is located on the other side via ionic interaction with the layer‐inserted alkali metal ions to form three‐dimensional structure. The well‐ordered alignments of these polar units lead to a very strong second‐harmonic generation response of 12 ( 1 ), 9.5 ( 2 ), and 7.5 ( 3 ) times larger than that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate under 1064 nm laser radiation. All of them exhibited a wide energy bandgap over 3.75 eV, suggesting that they will have a high laser damage threshold.     

K2Au(IO3)5 and β‐KAu(IO3)4: Polar Materials with Strong SHG Responses Originating from Synergistic Effect of AuO4 and IO3 Units

Two new polar potassium gold iodates, namely, K₂Au(IO₃)₅ (Cmc2₁) and β‐KAu(IO₃)₄ (C2), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Both compounds feature zero‐dimensional polar [Au(IO₃)₄]^? units composed of an AuO₄ square‐planar unit coordinated by four IO₃^? ions in a monodentate fashion. In β‐KAu(IO₃)₄, isolated [Au(IO₃)₄]^? ions are separated by K⁺ ions, whereas in K₂Au(IO₃)₅, isolated [Au(IO₃)₄]^? ions and non‐coordinated IO₃^? units are separated by K⁺ ions. Both compounds are thermally stable up to 400 °C and exhibit high transmittance in the NIR region (λ=800–2500 nm) with measured optical band gaps of 2.65 eV for K₂Au(IO₃)₅ and 2.75 eV for β‐KAu(IO₃)₄. Powder second‐harmonic generation measurements by using λ=2.05 μm laser radiation indicate that K₂Au(IO₃)₅ and β‐KAu(IO₃)₄ are both phase‐matchable materials with strong SHG responses of approximately 1.0 and 1.3 times that of KTiOPO₄, respectively. Theoretical calculations based on DFT methods confirm that such strong SHG responses originate from a synergistic effect of the AuO₄ and IO₃ units.     

CsVO2F(IO3): An Excellent SHG Material Featuring an Unprecedented 3D [VO2F(IO3)]− Anionic Framework

The first alkali-metal vanadium iodate fluoride, CsVO₂F(IO₃), with a novel 3D anionic framework, has been rationally designed and hydrothermally synthesized. The 3D [VO₂F(IO₃)]⁻ framework in CsVO₂F(IO₃) is built from 0D Λ-shaped cis-[VO₃F(IO₃)₂]⁴⁻ polyanions via corner-sharing of oxo anions and bridging of the iodate groups. CsVO₂F(IO₃) displays both a strong second-harmonic generation (SHG) 1.1 times as strong as KTiOPO₄ (KTP) under 2.05 μm laser radiation and high laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of 107.9 MW cm⁻². This work provides a new route to design SHG crystals with stable 3D anionic structures from low-dimensional structural building units.     

Molybdenum(VI) Bis(imido) Complexes: From Frustrated Lewis Pairs to Weakly Coordinating Cations

Molybdenum(VI) bis(imido) complexes [Mo(NtBu)₂(L^R)₂] (R=H 1 a ; R=CF₃ 1 b ) combined with B(C₆F₅)₃ ( 1 a /B(C₆F₅)₃, 1 b /B(C₆F₅)₃) exhibit a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) character that can heterolytically split H−H, Si−H and O−H bonds. Cleavage of H₂ and Et₃SiH affords ion pairs [Mo(NtBu)(NHtBu)(L^R)₂][HB(C₆F₅)₃] (R=H 2 a ; R=CF₃ 2 b ) composed of a Mo(VI) amido imido cation and a hydridoborate anion, while reaction with H₂O leads to [Mo(NtBu)(NHtBu)(L^R)₂][(HO)B(C₆F₅)₃] (R=H 3 a ; R=CF₃ 3 b ). Ion pairs 2 a and 2 b are catalysts for the hydrosilylation of aldehydes with triethylsilane, with 2 b being more active than 2 a . Mechanistic elucidation revealed insertion of the aldehyde into the B−H bond of [HB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻. We were able to isolate and fully characterize, including by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, the inserted products Mo(NtBu)(NHtBu)(L^R)₂][{PhCH₂O}B(C₆F₅)₃] (R=H 4 a ; R=CF₃ 4 b ). Catalysis occurs at [HB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ while [Mo(NtBu)(NHtBu)(L^R)₂]⁺ (R=H or CF₃) act as the cationic counterions. However, the striking difference in reactivity gives ample evidence that molybdenum cations behave as weakly coordinating cations (WCC).     

Low-Valent MxAl3 Cluster Salts with Tetrahedral [SiAl3]+ and Trigonal-Bipyramidal [M2Al3]2+ Cores (M=Si/Ge)

Schnöckel's [(AlCp*)₄] and Jutzi's [SiCp*][B(C₆F₅)₄] (Cp*=C₅Me₅) are landmarks in modern main-group chemistry with diverse applications in synthesis and catalysis. Despite the isoelectronic relationship between the AlCp* and the [SiCp*]⁺ fragments, their mutual reactivity is hitherto unknown. Here, we report on their reaction giving the complex salts [Cp*Si(AlCp*)₃][WCA] ([WCA]⁻=[Al(OR^F)₄]⁻ and [F{Al(OR^F)₃}₂]⁻; R^F=C(CF₃)₃). The tetrahedral [SiAl₃]⁺ core not only represents a rare example of a low-valent silicon-doped aluminium-cluster, but also—due to its facile accessibility and high stability—provides a convenient preparative entry towards low-valent Si−Al clusters in general. For example, an elusive binuclear [Si₂(AlCp*)₅]²⁺ with extremely short Al−Si bonds and a high negative partial charge at the Si atoms was structurally characterised and its bonding situation analysed by DFT. Crystals of the isostructural [Ge₂(AlCp*)₅]²⁺ dication were also obtained and represent the first mixed Al−Ge cluster.     

Bi(IO3)F2: The First Metal Iodate Fluoride with a Very Strong Second Harmonic Generation Effect

The first metal iodate fluoride, Bi(IO₃)F₂, with a strong second harmonic generation (SHG) effect has been prepared. Bi(IO₃)F₂ crystallizes in the polar space group C2 and features a three‐dimensional [BiF₂]⁺ cationic framework with IO₃ groups capping the inner walls of the one‐dimensional tunnels. This [BiF₂]⁺ cationic framework acts as a template for the assembly of the polar IO₃ units in a favorable superposed fashion, which leads to the polar structure of the material. Bi(IO₃)F₂ displays a rather wide transmittance window (0.3–11 μm) and exhibits a very strong SHG response that is about 11.5 times larger than that of KH₂PO₄ (KDP) under 1064 nm laser radiation and the same as that of KTiOPO₄ (KTP) under 2.05 μm laser radiation. Preliminary investigations indicate that Bi(IO₃)F₂ is a promising nonlinear optical material in the visible and mid‐IR region.     

K3V2O3F4(IO3)3: a high-performance SHG crystal containing both five and six-coordinated V5+ cations

The combination of d⁰ transition metal oxofluorides with iodate anions helps to synthesize polar crystals. Herein, a novel polar crystal, K₃V₂O₃F₄(IO₃)₃, which is the first metal vanadium iodate with two types of V⁵⁺-centered polyhedra (VO₄F₂ octahedron and VO₃F₂ trigonal bipyramid), has been prepared hydrothermally. It crystallizes in the polar space group of Cmc2₁ and its structure displays an unprecedented 0D [V₂O₃F₄(IO₃)₃]³⁻ anion, which is composed of Λ-shaped cis-[VO₂F₂(IO₃)₂]³⁻ and [VO₂F₂(IO₃)]²⁻ anions interconnected via the corner-sharing of one oxo anion. The synergy gained from the VO₄F₂, VO₃F₂ and IO₃ groups resulted in K₃V₂O₃F₄(IO₃)₃ exhibiting both a strong second-harmonic generation (SHG) response (1.3 × KTiOPO₄) under 2050 nm laser irradiation and a large birefringence (0.158 @ 2050 nm). This study provides a facile route for designing SHG materials by assembling various vanadium oxide-fluoride motifs and iodate anions into one compound.

K₃V₂O₃F₄(IO₃)₃, which is the first metal vanadium iodate containing two different V-centered polyhedra, exhibits a strong SHG effect of 1.3 × KTP and a large birefringence of 0.158 @ 2050 nm.     

Synthesis, vibrational and NMR spectroscopic characterization of [N(CH3)4][IO2F2] and X-ray crystal structure of [N(CH3)4]2[IO2F2][HF2]

The salt, [N(CH₃)₄][IO₂F₂], was prepared from [N(CH₃)₄][IO₃] and 49% aqueous HF, and characterized by Raman, infrared, and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. Crystals of [N(CH₃)₄]₂[IO₂F₂][HF₂] were obtained by reduction of [N(CH₃)₄][cis-IO₂F₄] in the presence of [N(CH₃)₄][F] in CH₃CN solvent and were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction: C2/m, a = 14.6765(2) Å, b = 8.60490(10) Å, c = 13.9572(2) Å, β = 120.2040(10)°, V = 1523.35(3) Å³, Z = 4 and R = 0.0192 at 210 K. The crystal structure consists of two IO₂⁻F₂ anions that are symmetrically bridged by two H⁻F₂ anions, forming a [F₂O₂I(FHF)₂IO₂F₂]⁴⁻ dimer. The symmetric bridging coordination for the H⁻F₂ anion in this structure represents a new bonding modality for the bifluoride anion.     

Lone-Pair Enhanced Birefringence in an Alkaline-Earth Metal Tin(II) Phosphate BaSn2(PO4)2

The first alkaline-earth metal tin(II) phosphate, BaSn₂(PO₄)₂, has been discovered, which consists of layered structures constructed from strictly alternating [SnO₃]⁴⁻ and [PO₄]³⁻ moieties. This compound is expected to have a large birefringence with Δn≈0.071 at 1064 nm, owing to the presence of stereochemically active lone pair metal cations.     

Double complexes [Co(NH3)5(H2O)]2[Zr3F18]·6H2O and [Co(NH3)6]2[Zr3F18]·6H2O

The structures of orthorhombic bis[pentaammineaquacobalt(III)] tetra‐μ₂‐fluorido‐tetradecafluoridotrizirconium(IV) hexahydrate (space group Ibam), [Co(NH₃)₅(H₂O)]₂[Zr₃F₁₈]·6H₂O, (I), and bis[hexaamminecobalt(III)] tetra‐μ₂‐fluorido‐tetradecafluoridotrizirconium(IV) hexahydrate (space group Pnna), [Co(NH₃)₆]₂[Zr₃F₁₈]·6H₂O, (II), consist of complex [Co(NH₃)_x(H₂O)_y]³⁺ cations with either m [in (I)] or and 2 [in (II)] symmetry, [Zr₃F₁₈]⁶⁻ anionic chains located on sites with 222 [in (I)] or 2 [in (II)] symmetry, and water molecules.     

Potassium gallium hydrogenphosphate fluoride,K2Ga[H(HPO4)2]F2

Hydrothermally synthesized dipotassium gallium {hydrogen bis[hydrogenphosphate(V)]} difluoride, K₂Ga[H(HPO₄)₂]F₂, is isotypic with K₂Fe[H(HPO₄)₂]F₂. The main features of the structure are ([Ga{H(HPO₄)₂}F₂]²⁻)_n columns consisting of centrosymmetric Ga(F₂O₄) octahedra [average Ga—O = 1.966 (3) Å and Ga—F = 1.9076 (6) Å] stacked above two HPO₄ tetrahedra [average P—O = 1.54 (2) Å] sharing two O‐atom vertices. The charge‐balancing seven‐coordinate K⁺ cations [average K—O,F = 2.76 (2) Å] lie in the intercolumn space, stabilizing a three‐dimensional structure. Strong [O...O = 2.4184 (11) Å] and medium [O...F = 2.6151 (10) Å] hydrogen bonds further reinforce the connections between adjacent columns.     

Bi2(IO3)(IO6): First combination of [IO3]− and [IO6]5− anions in three-dimensional framework

A new bismuth (III) iodate periodate, Bi₂(IO₃)(IO₆) was obtained from hydrothermal reactions using Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O, and H₅IO₆ as starting materials. Bi₂(IO₃)(IO₆) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (No. 14) with lattice parameters ɑ = 8.1119(6), b = 5.4746(4), c = 16.357(1) Å, β = 99.187(2)°, V = 717.07(9) ų, Z = 4. The structure of Bi₂(IO₃)(IO₆) features a three-dimensional framework which is a combination of [Bi(1)O₅] tetragonal pyramids, [Bi(2)O₈] bicapped trigonal prisms and [IO₃]⁻ and [IO₆]⁵⁻ anions. Thermal analysis shows that the compound is thermally stable up to about 350 °C. The solid state UV-vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectrum indicates that Bi₂(IO₃)(IO₆) is a semiconductor with a band gap of 2.76 eV.     

Univalent Gallium and Indium Phosphane Complexes: From Pyramidal M(PPh3)3+ to Carbene‐Analogous Bent M(PtBu3)2+ (M=Ga,In) Complexes

In a new oxidative route, Ag⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^? (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) and metallic indium were sonicated in aromatic solvents, such as fluorobenzene (PhF), to give a precipitate of silver metal and highly soluble [In(PhF)_n]⁺ salts (n=2, 3) with the weakly coordinating [Al(OR^F)₄]^? anion in quantitative yield. The In⁺ salt and the known analogous Ga⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^? were used to synthesize a series of homoleptic PR₃ phosphane complexes [M(PR₃)_n]⁺, that is, the weakly PPh₃‐bridged [(Ph₃P)₃In–(PPh₃)–In(PPh₃)₃]²⁺ that essentially contains two independent [In(PPh₃)₃]⁺ cations or, with increasing bulk of the phosphane, the carbene‐analogous [M(PtBu₃)₂]⁺ (M=Ga, In) cations. The M^I? P distances are 27 to 29 pm longer for indium, and thus considerably longer than the difference between their tabulated radii (18 pm). The structure, formation, and frontier orbitals of these complexes were investigated by calculations at the BP86/SV(P), B3LYP/def2‐TZVPP, MP2/def2‐TZVPP, and SCS‐MP2/def2‐TZVPP levels.     

From Ion‐Like Ethylzinc Aluminates to [EtZn(arene)2]+[Al(ORF)4]− Salts

Attempts to prepare previously unknown simple and very Lewis acidic [RZn]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^? salts from ZnR₂, AlR₃, and HO?R^F delivered the ion‐like RZn(Al(OR^F)₄) (R=Me, Et; R^F=C(CF₃)₃) with a coordinated counterion, but never the ionic compound. Increasing the steric bulk in RZn⁺ to R=CH₂CMe₃, CH₂SiMe₃, or Cp*, thus attempting to induce ionization, failed and led only to reaction mixtures including anion decomposition. However, ionization of the ion‐like EtZn(Al(OR^F)₄) compound with arenes yielded the [EtZn(arene)₂]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^? salts with arene=toluene, mesitylene, or o‐difluorobenzene (o‐DFB)/toluene. In contrast to the ion‐like EtZn(η³‐C₆H₆)(CHB₁₁Cl₁₁), which co‐crystallizes with one benzene molecule, the less coordinating nature of the [Al(OR^F)₄]^? anion allowed the ionization and preparation of the purely organometallic [EtZn(arene)₂]⁺ cation. These stable materials have further applications as, for example, initiators of isobutene polymerization. DFT calculations to compare the Lewis acidities of the zinc cations to those of a large number of organometallic cations were performed on the basis of fluoride ion affinity. The complexation energetics of EtZn⁺ with arenes and THF was assessed and related to the experiments.     

Photochemistry with Chlorine Trifluoride: Syntheses and Characterization of Difluorooxychloronium(V) Hexafluorido(non)metallates(V), [ClOF2][MF6] (M=V,Nb, Ta,Ru, Os,Ir, P,Sb)

A photochemical route to salts consisting of difluorooxychloronium(V) cations, [ClOF₂]⁺, and hexafluorido(non)metallate(V) anions, [MF₆]⁻ (M=V, Nb, Ta, Ru, Os, Ir, P, Sb) is presented. As starting materials, either metals, oxygen and ClF₃ or oxides and ClF₃ are used. The prepared compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The crystal structures of [ClOF₂][MF₆] (M=V, Ru, Os, Ir, P, Sb) are layer structures that are isotypic with the previously reported compound [ClOF₂][AsF₆], whereas for M=Nb and Ta, similar crystal structures with a different stacking variant of the layers are observed. Additionally, partial or full O/F disorder within the [ClOF₂]⁺ cations of the Nb and Ta compounds occurs. In all compounds reported here, a trigonal pyramidal [ClOF₂]⁺ cation with three additional Cl⋅⋅⋅F contacts to neighboring [MF₆]⁻ anions is observed, resulting in a pseudo-octahedral coordination sphere around the Cl atom. The Cl−F and Cl−O bond lengths of the [ClOF₂]⁺ cations seem to correlate with the effective ionic radii of the M^V ions. Quantum-chemical, solid-state calculations well reproduce the experimental Raman spectra and show, as do quantum-chemical gas phase calculations, that the secondary Cl⋅⋅⋅F interactions are ionic in nature. However, both solid-state and gas-phase quantum-chemical calculations fail to reproduce the increases in the Cl−O bond lengths with increasing effective ionic radius of M in [MF₆]⁻ and the Cl−O Raman shifts also do not generally follow this trend.     

Synthese und Kristallstrukturen von NH4[Si(NH3)F5] und [Si(NH3)2F4]

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of NH₄[Si(NH₃)F₅] and [Si(NH₃)₂F₄] Single crystals of NH₄[Si(NH₃)F₅] and [Si(NH₃)₂F₄] are obtained by reaction of silicon powder with NH₄HF₂ in sealed Monel ampoules at 400°C. NH₄[Si(NH₃)F₅] crystallizes with the tetragonal space group P4/n (no. 85) with a = 614.91(7) pm, c = 721.01(8) pm, Z = 2. Characteristic for the structure is the anionic octahedron [Si(NH₃)F₅]^?. Si(NH₃)₂F₄ crystallizes with the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (no. 14) with a = 506.9(1) pm, b = 728.0(1) pm, c = 675.9(1), β = 93,21(2)°, Z = 2. Trans-[Si(NH₃)₂F₄] molecules are characteristic for this structure.     

The Sulfur Rich Fluorothiophosphate Dianions [S5P2F2]2− and [S3PF]2− : Cluster and Chelation Control of P-S Heterolysis

The sulfur rich difluoropentathiodiphosphate dianion [S₅P₂F₂]²⁻, from fluoride addition to P₄S₁₀, has a somewhat checkered history and proves to be the main product of the reaction in acetonitrile. Its optimized synthesis, and structural characterization, as either a tetraphenylphosphonium or a tetrapropylammonium salt, [NⁿPr₄]₂[S₅P₂F₂] allows for the first coordination chemistry for this dianion. Reactions of [S₅P₂F₂]²⁻ with d¹⁰ metal ions of zinc(II), and cadmium(II), and d⁹ copper(II) resulted in a surprising diverse array of binding modes and structural motifs. In addition to the simple bis-chelate coordination of [S₅P₂F₂]²⁻ with zinc, cleavage of the P−S bond resulted in complexes with the unusual [S₃PF]²⁻ fluorotrithiophosphate dianion. This was observed in two cluster complexes: a trinuclear cadmium complex with mixed [S₅P₂F₂]²⁻/[S₃PF]²⁻ ligands, [Cd₃(S₅P₂F₂)₃(S₃PF)₂]⁴⁻ as well as an octanuclear copper cluster, [Cu₈(S₃PF)₆]⁴⁻ which form rapidly at room temperature. These new metal/sulfur/ligand clusters are of relevance to understanding multimetal binding to metallothionines, and to potential capping strategies for the condensed nanoparticulate cadmium chalcogenide semiconductors CdS and CdSe.     

Coordination Chemistry of P4S3 and P4Se3 towards the Iron Fragments [Fe(Cp)(CO)2]+ and [Fe(Cp)(PPh3)(CO)]+

The complexes Ag(L)_n[WCA] (L=P₄S₃, P₄Se₃, As₄S₃, and As₄S₄; [WCA]=[Al(OR^F)₄]⁻ and [F{Al(OR^F)₃}₂]⁻; R^F=C(CF₃)₃; WCA=weakly coordinating anion) were tested for their performance as ligand-transfer reagents to transfer the poorly soluble nortricyclane cages P₄S₃, P₄Se₃, and As₄S₃ as well as realgar As₄S₄ to different transition-metal fragments. As₄S₄ and As₄S₃ with the poorest solubility did not yield complexes. However, the more soluble silver-coordinated P₄S₃ and P₄Se₃ cages were transferred to the electron-poor Fp⁺ moiety ([CpFe(CO)₂]⁺). Thus, reaction of the silver salt in the presence of the ligand with Fp−Br yielded [Fp−P₄S₃][Al(OR^F)₄] ( 1 a ), [Fp−P₄S₃][F(Al(OR^F)₃)₂] ( 1 b ), and [Fp−P₄Se₃][Al(OR^F)₄] ( 2 ). Reactions with P₄S₃ also yielded [FpPPh₃−P₄S₃][Al(OR^F)₄] ( 3 ), a complex with the more electron-rich monophosphine-substituted Fp⁺ analogue [FpPPh₃]⁺ ([CpFe(PPh₃)(CO)]⁺). All complex salts were characterized by single-crystal XRD, NMR, Raman, and IR spectroscopy. Interestingly, they show characteristic blueshifts of the vibrational modes of the cage, as well as structural contractions of the cages upon coordination to the Fp/FpPPh₃ moieties, which oppose the typically observed cage expansions that lead to redshifts in the spectra. Structure, bonding, and thermodynamics were investigated by DFT calculations, which support the observed cage contractions. Its reason is assigned to σ and π donation from the slightly P−P and P−E antibonding P₄E₃-cage HOMO (e symmetry) to the metal acceptor fragment.