The reaction of coarse-grain metal powders with phosphoranes: a facile activation of metallic reagents and a novel route to metal–phosphine complexes. The X-ray crystal structures of Mnl 2 (PPhMe 2 ) and FeBr 3 (PPhMe 2 ) 2

A route to new and existing transition metal phosphine complexes is provided by the reaction of coarse-grain metal powders and phosphoranes in diethyl ether, as exemplified here by Nil3(PMe3)2, FeBr3(PPhMe2)2 and Mnl2(PPhMe2).