Carbodiphosphoranes and related ligands

Abstract

The theoretical and experimental research on carbodiphosphoranes C(PR 3)2 and related compounds CL2, both as free molecules and as ligands in transition metal complexes, is reviewed. Carbodiphosphoranes are examples of divalent carbon(0) compounds CL2 which have peculiar donor properties that are due to the fact that the central carbon atom has two lone electron pairs. The bonding situation is best described in terms of L→C←L donor acceptor interactions which distinguishes CL2 compounds (carbones) from divalent carbon(II) compounds (carbenes) through the number of lone electron pairs. The structures and stabilities of transition metal complexes with ligands CL2 can be understood and predictions can be made considering the double donor ability of the carbone compounds. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.