Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 106. Synthese und Eigenschaften des Diphosphacyclopropans (t-BuP)2CHMe

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 106. Synthesis and Properties of the Diphosphacyclopropane (t-BuP)₂CHMe The new 1,2-di-tert-butyl-3-methyl-1,2-diphosphacyclopropane (1,2-di-tert-butyl-3-methyl-diphosphirane), (t-BuP)₂CHMe ( 1 ), is obtained by reacting K(t-Bu)P? P(t-Bu)K with 1,1-dichloroethane under suitable conditions. 1 can be isolated by high vacuum distillation and is stable for months when stored under inert gas at room temperature. Particularly, no dimerization to the corresponding 1,2,4,5-tetraphosphacyclohexane takes place. The NMR parameters indicate an increase of the exocyclic bond angles compared to (t-BuP)₂CH₂. The signs of all CP coupling constants have been determined by spin tickling experiments. The ²J(CCP)-coupling of the methyl group at the ring carbon depends strongly on the dihedral angle.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 83. Synthese und Eigenschaften der Diphosphasilirane (t-BuP)2SiMe2 und (t-BuP)2SiPh2

N-Halogen Vanadium Nitride Chlorides Cl₃V?N ? X with X = Br, I Cl₃V?NI can be obtained by the reaction of vanadium tetrachloride with iodine azide in CCl₄ solution. With liquid bromine the corresponding Cl₃V?NBr is formed. According to the IR spectra both nitride halides exhibit vanadium nitrogen triple bonds with a linear V?N ? X axis.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 123. Synthese und Eigenschaften der Diphosphagermirane (t-BuP)2GePh2 und (t-BuP)2GeEt2

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 123. Synthesis and Properties of the Diphosphagermiranes (t-BuP)₂GePh₂ and (t-BuP)₂GeEt₂ The first three-membered P₂Ge heterocycles, 1,2-di-tert-butyl-3, 3-diphenyl-1, 2, 3-diphosphagermirane, (t-BuP)₂GePh₂ (1) , and 1, 2-di-tert-butyl-3, 3-diethyl-1, 2, 3-diphosphagermirane, (t-BuP)₂GeEt₂ (2) , were synthesized by [2+1] cyclocondensation reactions of K(t-Bu)P—P(t-Bu)K with diphenylgermanium dichloride and diethylgermanium dichloride, respectively. The four-, five-, and six-membered cyclogermaphosphanes (t-BuP)₂(GePh₂)₂ (3) , (t-BuP)₃GeR₂ ( 6 R = Ph; 7 R = Et), (t-BuP)₄GePh₂ (5) and (t-BuP)₄(GePh₂)₂ (4) as well as (t-BuP)₄ are formed as by-products. The diphosphagermiranes 1 and 2 could be isolated in 93 and 100% purity, respectively, and were unambiguously characterized as compounds with a cyclic P₂Ge skeleton. The ³¹P-NMR parameters of the cyclogermaphosphanes 3—7 are reported.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 129. Synthese und Eigenschaften der Phospha-germa-cyclobutane (t-BuP)2(GePh2)2 und (t-BuP)3GePh2

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 129. Synthesis and Properties of the Phospha-germa-cyclobutanes (t-BuP)₂(GePh₂)₂ and (t-BuP)₃GePh₂ The phospha-germa-cyclobutanes 1,2-di-tert-butyl-3,3,4,4-tetraphenyl-1,2-diphospha-3,4-digerma-cyclob utane, (t-BuP)₂(GePh₂)₂ ( 1 ), and 1,2,3-tri-tert-butyl-4,4-diphenyl-1,2,3-tri-phospha-4-germa-cyclobutan e, (t-BuP)₃GePh₂ ( 2 ), are obtained as main-products of the cyclocondensation of K(t-Bu)P? P(t-Bu)K with Ph₂GeCl₂ under certain reaction conditions. 1 and 2 could be isolated in the pure state and were clearly characterized as the first four-membered P₂Ge₂ and P₃Ge heterocycles, respectively.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 101. Synthese und Eigenschaften von Diphosphaboriranen (t-BuP)2BNR2 und (t-BuP)2BNR1R2

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 101 Synthesis and Properties of Diphosphaboriranes (t-BuP)₂BNR₂ and (t-BuP)₂BNR¹R² The reaction of K(t-Bu)P? P(t-Bu)K with diorganylaminodichloroboranes under suitable conditions leads to the new 1,2-di-tert-butyl-3-diorganylamino-1,2,3-diphosphaboriranes (-1,2-diphospha-3-boracyclopropanes) (t-BuP)₂BNR₂ ( 2 , 7 ) and (t-BuP)₂BNR¹R² ( 3 — 6 ), respectively. The P₂B three-membered heterocycles 2 — 5 can be isolated in good yields. They are relatively stable against dimerization to the corresponding phosphorus boron six-membered ring compounds with opposite boron atoms. The rate of dimerization depends on steric and electronic influences of the substituents at the three-membered ring. All NMR spectroscopic results are only consistent with a structure in which the B and N atoms show planar coordination and are connected by a partial double bond.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 144. Synthese und Eigenschaften des Hexaphospha-3-germaspiro[2.4]heptans (t-BuP)2Ge(t-BuP)4

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 144. Synthesis and Properties of the Hexaphospha-3-germaspiro[2.4]heptane (t-BuP)₂Ge(t-BuP)₄ The cyclocondensation of K(t-Bu)P? P(t-Bu)K with germanium tetrachloride in the molar ratio of 2:1 yields the novel spirocyclic compound 1,2,4,5,6,7-hexa-tert-butyl-1,2,4,5,6,7-hexaphospha-3-germaspiro[2.4]heptane, (t-BuP)₂Ge(t-BuP)₄ ( 1 ). Besides considerable amounts of (t-BuP)₄ are formed and occasionally some (t-BuP)₃ can be found. 1 could be isolated in the pure state and has been NMR-spectroscopically characterized as a spirocyclic compound with a P₂GeP₄ skeleton.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 128. Synthese des Diphosphastanna-cyclopropans (t-BuP)2Sn(t-Bu)2

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 128. Synthesis of the Diphosphastanna-cyclopropane (t-BuP)₂Sn(t-Bu)₂ The first three-membered P₂Sn heterocycle, 1,2,3,3-tetra-tert-butyl-1,2,3-diphosphastanna-cyclopropane (1,2,3,3-tetra-tert-butyl-1,2,3-diphosphastannirane) ( 1 ), has been synthesized by [2+1] cyclocondensation of K(t-Bu)P—P(t-Bu)K with (t-Bu)₂SnCl₂. 1 is stable at room temperature. Besides, (t-BuP)₂[Sn(t-Bu)₂]₂ ( 2 ), (t-BuP)₄Sn(t-Bu)₂ ( 3 ), and (t-BuP)₄ are formed. In the reaction with Et₂SnCl₂, the six-membered ring compound [(t-BuP)₂SnEt₂]₂ ( 4 ) is the main-product; the four- and five-membered cyclostannaphosphanes (t-BuP)₃SnEt₂ ( 5 ) and (t-BuP)₃(SnEt₂)₂ ( 6 ) are also formed. 1 could be isolated in the pure state and has been unambiguously characterized as a three-membered heterocycle with a P₂Sn skeleton. The ³¹P-NMR parameters of the other new cyclostannaphosphanes 2–6 are reported.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 111. 1,2-Dichlor-1,2-di-tert-butyldiphosphan

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 111. 1,2-Dichloro-1,2-di-tert-butyl-diphosphane The reaction of tri-tert-butyl-cyclotriphosphane, (t-BuP)₃, with phosphorus(V) chloride (molar ratio 1:2) leads to the title compound Cl(t-Bu)P? P(t-Bu)Cl ( 1 ), which is remarkably stable against disproportionation reactions. As the first 1,2-dichloro-1,2-diorganyldiphosphane, 1 has been isolated in a pure state and was thoroughly characterized. At room temperature, 1 exists in a mixture of the d,l and meso form (about 20:80). The mutual repulsion of the negative polarized Cl atoms and their preferred gauche arrangement to the free electron pairs of neighboured P atoms leads to a gauche-conformation of the lone electron pairs in the d,l- and to a trans-conformation in the meso-configuration.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 104. Synthese und Eigenschaften von 1,3-Dihalogen-1,2,3-tritert-butyltriphosphanen (t-BuP)3X2, X = Cl,Br, I

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 104. Synthesis and Properties of 1,3-Dihalogen-1,2,3-tri-tert-butyltriphosphanes (t-BuP)₃X₂, X = Cl, Br, I The halogenating ring-cleavage of tri-tert-butyl-cyclotriphosphane, (t-BuP)₃, by iodine, bromine or phosphorus(V)bromide as well as phosphorus(V)chloride leads to the first 1,3-dihalogen-1,2,3-triorganyltriphosphanes (t-BuP)₃I₂ ( 1 ), (t-BuP)₃Br₂ ( 2 ), and (t-BuP)₃Cl₂ ( 3 ). The 1,2-dihalogen-1,2-di-tert-butyldiphosphanes (t-BuP)₂I₂ ( 4 ), (t-BuP)₂Br₂ ( 6 ), and (t-BuP)₂Cl₂ ( 9 ) as well as the dihalogen-tert-butylphosphanes t-BuPI₂ ( 5 ), t-BuPBr₂ ( 7 ), and t-BuPCl₂ ( 10 ) are formed as by-products. Moreover, the reaction of (t-BuP)₃ with PBr₅ leads to 1-bromo-2,3,4-tri-tert-butyl-cyclo-tetraphosphane, (t-BuP)₃(PBr) ( 8 ). The compounds 1 and 3 could be isolated in a pure state and were characterized in all details. 3 is a reMarkably stable open-chain triphosphane.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 183. Lithium-tetrahydrogenheptaphosphid und Lithium-octa-hydrogenheptaphosphid

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 183. Lithium Tetrahydrogen Heptaphosphide and Lithium Octahydrogen Heptaphosphide Lithium tetrahydrogen heptaphosphide, LiH₄P₇ ( 1 ), and lithium octahydrogen heptaphosphide, LiH₈P₇ ( 2 ), belong to the first reaction products of the metalation of P₂H₄ with n-butyllithium that can be identified. Both compounds are also formed on reaction of Li₃P₇ with excess P₂H₄. 1 also results from the reaction of LiH₄P₅ with P₂H₄. Whereas 1 can be isolated as an orange-red crystalline solvent adduct in a purity of 60-70 per cent, 2 cannot be enriched further due to its extreme reactivity. The composition and the structure of 1 and 2 have been elucidated from their ³¹P-NMR spectra. Hence, 1 has a P₇ skeleton analogous to that of norbornane, whereas 2 as a precursor in the formation of 1 from P₂H₄ and n-BuLi is an open-chain doubly branched heptaphosphide.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 160. Zur Ringspaltung der Phosphor-Dreiringheterocyclen (t-BuP)2CMe2 und (t-BuP)2N(i-Pr) mit Kalium bzw. K-Naphthalid

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 160. About the Ring Cleavage of the Phosphorus Three-Membered Heterocycles (t-BuP)₂CMe₂ and (t-BuP)₂N(i-Pr) with Potassium or K-Naphthalenide The reaction of (t-BuP)₂CMe₂ with potassium or K-naphthalenide in tetrahydrofuran or 1,2-dimethoxyethane mainly leads to the symmetric phosphide K(t-Bu)P? ;CMe₂? ;P(t-Bu)K ( 1 ) via P? ;P-bond cleavage. Above —78°C 1 decomposes into the monophosphides KHP(t-Bu) ( 3 ) and KP(t-Bu)(i-Pr) ( 4 ). In the case of (t-BuP)₂N(i-Pr) under analogous conditions essentially the P? ;N-bond is split up yielding the phosphide K(t-Bu)P? ;P(t-Bu)? ;NH(i-Pr) ( 5 ), which is stable at room temperature. Contrary to (t-BuP)₂BN(i-Pr)₂ cyclic phosphides are not formed. The different reactive behavior in the metalation of phosphorus three-membered heterocycles of the type (PR¹)₂ER (E = hetero atom) is discussed.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 236. Über einige physikalische und chemische Eigenschaften von Diphosphan(4)

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 236. On Several Physical and Chemical Properties of Diphosphane(4) The density of diphosphane(4) has been measured between ?78°C and +18°C and the value d₄²⁰ = 1.014 · 0.002 extrapolated. The refractive index of P₂H₄ was determined to be n²⁰ = 1.66 ± 0.01. The surface tension at 0°C and ?50°C was measured to be σ = 34 and 42 dyn · cm^?1, respectively. In the UV absorption spectrum, gaseous P₂H₄ exhibits a broad absorption band at λ_max = 2 220 Å, in n-hexane solution, this band is shifted somewhat to shorter wave-lengths. The molar extinction coefficient was determined to be ? ≈? 900 1 · mol^?1 · cm^?1. As a result of photolytic decomposition, absorptions for PH₃ and more phosphorus-rich hydrides also occur. The solubility behavior of P₂H₄ in various organic solvents and the stabilities of the resultant solutions have been investigated. At 0°C, the solubility of diphosphane(4) in water was found to be ± 035 ± 0.003 g P₂H₄/100 g solution and that of water in diphosphane(4) to be 43.2 ± 1.6 g H₂O/100 g solution. The system diphosphane(4)/methanol also exhibits a miscibility anomaly. The IR spectra of liquid P₂H₄ and of its solutions in various solvents revealed, in accord with the results of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy [7], that diphosphane(4) is practically not associated. Weak interactions through hydrogen bridging bonds occur with pyridine and methanol in which P₂H₄ serves as the proton donor and, in the latter case, also as proton acceptor. For the thermolysis of diphosphane(4), it has been found that the primary step comprises a disproportionation with inter-molecular elimination of PH₃ and formation of triphosphane(5). With further progress of the thermolysis, in dependence on the reaction conditions, mixtures of various phosphanes of differing composition are formed. Photolysis gives rise to phosphane mixtures having similar compositions. With aqueous silver salt and iodine solutions, diphosphane(4) reacts as a reducing agent; with sodium hydroxide solution, it reacts by a slow disproportionation as well as by formation and degradation of the subsequently formed polyphosphides. On reaction with triphenylmethyl, triphenylmethane and a yellow solid of varying composition are formed. The reaction of diazomethane with diphosphane(4) leads to the preferential insertion of the carbene in the P? P bond and formation of methylenebis(phosphane).     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. XXXIX. Zur Hydrolyse des Diphosphor-tetrajodids

In the preparation of Ba₂H₂(H₂P₂O₄)₃ by P₂I₄ hydrolysis in barium acetate/acetic acid buffer solution P(II)—P(IV), P(IV)—P(IV), P(III), and P(V) acid are formed in addition to about 17% of the starting phosphorus as P(II)—P(II) acid after separating the Ba₂H₂(H₂P₂O₄)₃. Thus in this reaction a total of 64% of P₂I₄ Phosphorus can be detected as hypodiphosphorous acid H₄P₂O₄. The precipitated yellow reaction product, obtained by water hydrolysis of P₂I₄, contains no solid phosphorus hydride — as believed previously — but as a result of elementary analysis, iodometry, and chromatography, a high molecular-weight phosphorus, hydrogen and oxygen containing substance of statistical stoichiometry with oxydation number ～0 for phosphorus. P? H, P?O, and P? O? P groups could be detected by IR-spectroscopy, but not P? OH groups. The P₂I₄ hydrolysis probably proceeds via a yellow coloured initial product with trivalent phosphorus, and yields a very complex reaction mixture in which also the intermediates partially still react further.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 159. Über die Reaktion des Diphosphaborirans (t-BuP)2BN(i-Pr)2 mit Kalium bzw. Kaliumnaphthalid

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 159. On the Reaction of the Diphosphaborirane (t-BuP)₂BN(i-Pr)₂ with Potassium or Potassium Naphthalenide The reaction of (t-BuP)₂BN(i-Pr)₂ with potassium or K-naphthalenide in tetrahydrofuran leads to K(t-Bu)P? ;BN(i-Pr)₂? P(t-Bu)K ( 1 ) via P? ;P bond cleavage of the three-membered ring skeleton. Above ? 78°C 1 changes into the asymmetric compound K(t-Bu)P? ;P(t-Bu)? BHN(i-Pr)₂ ( 2 ). In dimethoxyethane additionally the monometallated diphosphaborirane K(t-Bu)P₂BN(i-Pr)₂ ( 3 ) is formed. 1 and 3 , which could be isolated free from other phosphorus containing compounds, as well as the corresponding silylphosphanes Me₃Si(t-Bu)P? ;BN(i-Pr)₂? ;P(t-Bu)SiMe ₃ ( 4 ) and Me₃Si(t-Bu)P₂BN(i-Pr)₂ ( 5 ) were characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Protolysis of 3 or 5 leads to a decomposition of the three-membered ring skeleton with formation of H(t-Bu)P? ;PH₂.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 224. Zur Thermolyse von 1,2-Di-tert-butyldiphosphan, 1,2,3-Tri-tert-butyltriphosphan und Tetra-tert-butylcyclotetraphosphan

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 224. On the Thermolysis of 1,2-Di-tert-butyldiphosphane, 1,2,3-Tri-tert-butyltriphosphane, and Tetra-tert-butylcyclotetraphosphane On disproportionation of 1,2-di-tert-butyldiphosphane, H(t-Bu)P? P(t-Bu)H (1) , 1,2,3-tri-tert-butyltriphosphane, H₂(t-BuP)₃ (2) , is formed which reacts further at temperatures above 100°C to give 1-(tert-butylphosphino)-2,3,4-tri-tert-butylcyclotetraphosphan, P₅(t-Bu)₄H (4) . Compound 4 reacts with 1 or 2 with lengthening of the P-sidechain to furnish the corresponding 1-(1,2-di-tert-butyldiphosphino)-2,3,4-tri-tert-butylcyclotetraphosphane, P₆(t-Bu)₅H (5) . At temperatures above 170°C, 5 disproportionates into the tetra-tert-butylcyclotetraphosphane, (t-BuP)₄ (3) which is stable up to about 200°C, and the bicyclo[3.1.0]hexaphosphane P₆(t-Bu)₄ from which the polycyclophosphanes P₉(t-Bu)₃ and P₈(t-Bu)₆ arise during the further course of the thermolysis. These products are finally converted through even more phosphorus-rich and more highly condensed t-butylcyclophosphanes into elemental phosphorus. In each reaction step, varying amounts of the monophosphane derivatives t-BuPH₂, (t-Bu)₂PH, and (t-Bu)₃P are formed. The proposed course of the reaction is further substantiated by the pyrolysis products of pure 2 and 3 .     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Bors. 117. 1,2,4,3,5-Trithiadiborolan: Darstellung und Eigenschaften

Contributions to the Chemistry of Boron. 117. 1,2,4,3,5-Trithiadiborolan: Preparation and Properties The action of various boranes (H₃B · THF, tetrapropyldiborane, 9-BBN) on a series of 3,5-substituted 1,2,4,3,5-trithiadiborolanes was followed by NMR spectroscopy in order to find optimal conditions for the synthesis of H₂B₂S₃. [(CH₃)₂N]₂B₂S₃ and 9-BBN proved to be the best combination. H₂B₂S₃ is volatile and polymerizes readily. Therefore, pure monomeric H₂B₂S₃ does not exist as a condensed phase. However, it adds trimethylamine to form H₂B₂S₃ · N(CH₃)₃ and H₂B₂S₃ · 2N(CH₃)₃.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 134. Über die Triphosphane H(t-BuP)3H,Li(t-BuP)3Li und Me3Si(t-BuP)3SiMe3

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 134. On the Triphosphanes H(t-BuP)₃H' Li(t-BuP)₃Li, and Me₃Si(t-BuP)₃SiMe₃ The reaction of 1,3-diiodo-1,2,3-tri-tert-butyltriphosphane, I(t-BuP)₃I, with lithium aluminium hydride leads to 1,2,3-tri-tert-butyltriphosphane, H(t-BuP)₃H ( 1 ). 1 reacts with n-butyllithium to 1,3-dilithium-1,2,3-tri-tert-butyltriphosphide, Li(t-BuP)₃Li ( 2 ), which reacts further with trimethylchlorosilane yielding 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,2,3-tri-tert-butyltriphosphane, Me₃Si(t-BuP)₃SiMe₃ ( 3 ). The triphosphanes 1, 2 and 3 could be isolated in a pure state. In solution 1 forms the threo, threo and the threo,erythro configurated diastereomers 1a and 1b in a ratio of about 2:1. 3 predominantly exists in form of the threo,erythro configurated diastereomer 3b by steric reasons.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 225 [1, 2] Lithium-pentahydrogenoctaphosphid

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 225. Lithium Pentahydrogen Octaphosphide Lithium pentahydrogen octaphosphide, LiH₅P₈ ( 1 ), belongs to the first reaction products of the metallation of P₂H₄ with n-butyllithium to be detected. Compound 1 is also formed in the reactions of the tricyclic heptaphosphide Li₃P₇ or the monocyclic pentaphosphide LiH₄P₅ with P₂H₄. In all cases, LiH₄P₇, LiH₈P₇, and further not yet identified polyphosphides are formed additionally. The composition and the structure of 1 have been elucidated by ³¹P-NMR studies, above all a complete analysis of its low-temperature ³¹P{¹H}-NMR spectrum. Hence, compound 1 is 7-lithium-2,5,6-trihydrogen-3-phosphino-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptaphosphide and has a norbornane-type P₇ skeleton. At room temperature 1 decomposes to furnish more phosphorus-rich lithium polyphosphides.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 43. Gaschromatographische Trennung von Phosphanen

Monophosphane (PH₃), diphosphane (P₂H₄), and triphosphane-5 (P₃H₅) could be separated in mixtures by isothermal gas chromatography. On the basis of the experiences hereby obtained, further gas chromatographic separations were carried out with a programmed temperature mode. For the identification of the chromatographic peaks a mass spectrometer as a second detector was applied. In the temperature range from ?60°C to +60°C, it was possible for the first time to separate mixtures of diphosphane and higher phosphanes without any decomposition in the gas chromatographic column. Besides monophosphane and diphosphane, triphosphane-3 (P₃H₃), triphosphane-5 (P₃H₅), and tetraphosphane-6 (P₄H₆) could be eluated as undecomposed components. By this, a fundamental basis for the application of gas chromatography to the quantitative analysis of mixtures of phosphanes and to the development of a gas chromatographic method for the preparative isolation of individual higher phosphanes has been established.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 117. Synthese und Eigenschaften der Hexaorganyl-octaphosphane(6) P8R6, R = Me,Et, Pri

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 117. Synthesis and Properties of the Hexaorganyl-octaphosphanes(6) P₈R₆, R = Me, Et, Prⁱ The Hexaorganyl-octaphosphanes(6) P₈Me₆ ( 1 ), P₈Et₆ ( 2 ), and P₈Pr ( 3 ) have been obtained by reacting mixtures of the corresponding organyldichlorophosphanes and phosphorus(III) chloride with magnesium. In the case of 1 and 2 the organyl-cyclophosphanes (PR)_n can also be used in the reaction with phosphorus(III) chloride and magnesium. Besides, mainly P₇R₅ as well as other polycyclic organylphosphanes are formed. 2 and 3 have been isolated as pure substances, whereas 1 was concentrated to ?50 mol-% in the product mixture. According to their ³¹P-NMR spectra the three compounds possess a pentalane-analogous P₈-skeleton with the substituents within each five-membered ring in trans position and the substituents of different five-membered rings next to the zero bridge in cis position; the organyl groups in the 3, 7 position are trans oriented with respect to the free electron pairs of the bridgehead atoms. Therefore, the structures of 1 – 3 differ from the known tert-butyl compound P₈Bu, whereas the corresponding phosphorus hydride P₈H₆ has the same pentalane-analogous P₈-skeleton, thus being a bicyclo[3.3.0]octaphosphane.