Bis(diphenylphosphinoethyl)phenylphosphine is the organophosphorus compound with the formula [Ph2PCH2CH2]2PPh (Ph = C6H5). It is an air-sensitive white solid that function as tridentate ligands in coordination and organometallic chemistry.
It is prepared by the free-radical-catalysed addition of phenylphosphine to vinyldiphenylphosphine:"Synthesis of Polytertiary Phosphines and ‘Mixed’ Phosphorus–Sulphur and ‘Mixed’ Phosphorus–Nitrogen Polydentate Ligands via Free-Radical Catalysis" Daniel L. DuBois, William H. Myers, Devon W. Meek J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans., 1975, 1011-1015. 2 Ph2PCH=CH2 + H2PPh → [Ph2PCH2CH2]2PPh It can bind to an octahedral metal center to give either a facial or meridional isomers. Some derivatives are square planar complexes of the type [MX(triphos)]+ (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; X = halide).
Related ligands diethylenetriamine (HN(CH2CH2NH2)2) bis(diphenylphosphinophenyl)phenylphosphineHartley, J. G., Venanzi, L. M., Goodall, D. C., "The Preparation and Complex-Forming Properties of One tritertiary and One Tetratertiary Phosphine", J. Chem. Soc. 1963, 3930. (PhP(C6H4PPh2)2) 1,1,1-Tris(diphenylphosphinomethyl)ethane, a tripodal ligand.
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