Complexes of phosphorus halides with two or more coordination bonds

The review considers complexes of phosphorus as central atom with the variously dentate ligands of different topology and type of donor groups. The most stable complexes form the N-donor ligands, which are strong nucleophiles. The P-donor ligands stabilize the lower oxidation state of phosphorus. Only a few examples of complexes is known of the neutral O- and S-donor ligands. The most stable are the chelates with the ligands forming with the phosphorus atom alongside a donor-acceptor bond also a common covalent bond.