Selective formation of the [PhP(H)–PPh] − anion in the reaction of PhPHLi with MeAlCl 2 ; synthesis and structure of the unusual tetramer [{PhP(H)–PPh}Li·thf] 4

The reaction of PhPHLi with MeAlCl(2)(3:1 equivalents) gives the tetramer [(PhP(H)-PPh)Li.thf]4, and provides the first direct evidence of a link between the reactivity patterns observed for Group 14 and 15 phosphanenides and those of Group 13.