Abstract: | The synthesis of 2,2′-bis(bis(dimethylamino)-phosphino)-3,3′5,5′-tetra-tert-butylbiphennyl ( 5 ) is described. It was extensively studied by 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the X-ray analysis of 5 is reported. Crystals of 5 are tetragonal, space group P¯421c, a = b = 24.770 (3) Å, c = 12.658 (4) Å, Z = 8. The surprising reaction of 5 with proton acids leading to the formation of various phosphorus containing five- and six-membered ring compounds is discussed. On reaction of one of the six-membered ring compounds ( 9 ) with magnesium in THF, a λ3, λ5-diphosphaphenanthrene ( 19 ) was obtained. |