Cu(I) and Ru(II) complexes with elemental phosphorus as ligand: Synthesis and properties

New complexes of Cu(I) and Ru(II) with elemental (white) phosphorus (P₄), [Cu(C₅H-i-Pr₄)(η²-P₄)], [Cu(C₅H-i-Pr₄)(μ,η^2:1-P₄)Cu(C₅H-i-Pr₄)], and [Ru(C₅Me₅)(PCy₃)(η²-P₄)Cl], are synthesized with tetraphosphorus molecule as bidentate η²-ligand. The complexes are obtained by reacting elemental phosphorus with the Cu carbonyl(tetraisopropylcyclopentadienyl) complex [Cu(C₅H-i-Pr₄)(CO)] or with Ru(II) (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)(tricyclohexylphosphine) chloride, [Ru(C₅Me₅)(PCy₃)Cl]. The structures and compositions of the obtained complexes are studied by ¹H, ³¹P NMR method and elemental analysis. The P₄ molecule is connected to Cu(I) and Ru(II) fragments through the P-P edge due to a side coordination.