The reaction of white phosphorus (P4) with the dinuclear rhenium complex [{Cp*(OC)2Re]2 (Re=Re) and its subsequent reaction with {W(CO)5)} yields complexes with naked phosphorus ligands which simulate the symmetrical degradation of the phosphorus tetrahedral cage:

 

Structures of Pn Complexes

M. Di Vaira, M. P. Ehses, M. Peruzzini, P. Stoppioni J. Organomet. Chem. 2000, 593/594, 127-34.

M. Di Vaira, M. P. Ehses, P. Stoppioni, M. Peruzzini Inorg. Chem. 2000, 39, 2199-205.

M. Di Vaira, M. P. Ehses, M. Peruzzini, P. Stoppioni Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2000, 10, 2193-8.

M. Di Vaira, M. P. Ehses, M. Peruzzini, P. Stoppioni Polyhedron 1999, 18, 2331-6.

M. Ehses, G. Schmitt, G. Wolmershäuser, O. J. Scherer Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 1999, 625, 382-4.

O. J. Scherer, M. Ehses, G. Wolmershäuser Angew. Chem. 1998, 110, 530-3; Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 1998, 37, 507-10.

O. J. Scherer, M. Ehses, G. Wolmershaeuser J. Organomet. Chem. 1997, 531, 217-21.

M. Ehses: Organometallchemie des Rheniums als Zugang zu Pn-Komplexen der 7. Gruppe; TU Kaiserslautern, 1998, Dissertation.

The cyclo-P3 ligand shows variable coordination properties, depending on the Lewis acid. End-on as well as side-on coordination are realised with mid d-block cationic or neutral 16 valence electron fragments and naked coinage metals. Face-on coordination can be achieved with 15 valence electron fragments.