Phosphinidene


In chemistry phosphinidenes are the phosphorus analogs of carbenes and nitrenes, having the general structure RP. The name originated from the parent compound, phosphinidene. They can exist in either a singlet state or triplet state, with the triplet state being lower in energy.

Monomeric phosphinidines

Using very bulky substituents, a phosphinidine has been isolated at room temperature. With the formula R2P-P, the compound reacts with isocyanides and alkenes to give stable adducts.

Phosphinidine complexes

Terminal transition-metal-complexed phosphinidenes LnM=P-R are phosphorus analogs of transition metal carbene complexes where L is a spectator ligand. Two examples of this group are and Cp2W=P-Mes*.
More common than complexes of terminal phosphinidine ligands are cluster compounds wherein the phophinidene is a triply and less commonly doubly bridging ligand. One example is the ter-butylphosphinidene complex Fe310.