Isolation of a Neutral P8 Cluster by [2+2] Cycloaddition of a Diphosphene Facilitated by Carbene Activation of White Phosphorus

P-cing it together: Carbonyl-decorated carbenes readily activate white phosphorus to afford carbene-stabilized P4 and P8 clusters. Mechanistic evidence suggests the P8 cluster (see structure from X-ray diffraction: C gray, P orange, N blue, O red) forms by a [2+2] cycloaddition of a transient diphosphene species.