The reaction of Li[PBut2] with SnCI2 or PbCI2 in tetrahydrofuran (thf) solution affords the isostructural 'ate' complexes, [Li(thf){E(PB~t,)~}] (E = Sn or Pb), both of which have been characterised by X-ray crystallography.Compared with the transition metals, there are relatively few phosphido derivatives of the heavier main-group elements. We have therefore initiated a survey of the reactions of the [PBut2]-anion with, e.g., the halides of these elements. duMont and co-workers1 have previously reported that the reaction of K[PBuf2] with SnC12 (or Et3PSnC12) in toluene in 2 : 1 stoicheiometry results in the dimer, [ S ~( P B U ~~) ~] ~, for which they proposed structure (1). It was also noted that, under comparable conditions, the reaction of tin dihalides with Li[PBut2] affords But2PSnX. We have now found that in tetrahydrofuran (thf) solution, Li[PBut2] reacts with SnC12 or PbC12 in 3 : 1 stoicheiometry to afford the novel 'ate' complexes, (2) and (3), respectively. X-Ray-quality air-sensitive crystals of orange-yellow (2) and red (3) were grown from n-hexane solutions at -20 "C.?
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