2,2″‐Dimethoxy‐1,1′:3′,1″‐terphenyl as a novel protective group for low‐coordinated phosphorus compounds: The case of diphosphenes

A synthetic approach to meta‐terphenyls iodides bearing methoxy groups in the 2 and 2′′′ positions has been described. 2,2″‐Dimethoxy‐1,1′:3′,1″‐terphenyl groups have been shown to stabilize diphosphenes in solution. The existence of conformers of the diphosphene 7 has also been recorded. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 14:360–360, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10162