Key Words: 1,3,5-Triaza-7-phospha-adamantane / Reductive cleavage of phosphonium salts t Ambidentate P,N-ligands t P,N-[3.3.l]bicyclononane systems t Phosphanes Two reaction pathways for the synthesis of 1,3,5-triaza-?-phosphoniaadamantane salts, RP[(CH2)6N3]+X-(l), were followed. Route 1 starts with commercial tetrakis(hydroxymethy1)phosphonium chloride, which is converted into P(CH,OH), by treatment with a base. Subsequent quaternization with alkyl halides RX and cyclization with formaldehyde and ammonia afford [R-TPA]+X-. This process is only applicable for R = Me (la) and Et (lb), however. Route 2 is more general and starts with primary phosphanes RPH,, which are converted into organotris(hydroxymethy1)phosphonium salts with formaldehyde and hydrochloric acid followed by ring closure with CH20/NH3 to give compounds l c -l f (R = t-Bu, c-Hex, Bz, and Ph, respectively, and X = C1, I, PFs, or BPh4). Reductive cleavage of compounds 1 by sodium in liquid ammonia proceeds with either external (P-R) or internal (P-CH2) bond rupture. P-R cleavage affords the 1,3,5-triaza-?-phosphaadamantane (TPA), while cage cleavage leads to new bowl-or helmet-shaped ligand systems with peripheral amine and phosphane functions (2). Yields of the cage-opening reaction are highest for R = Ph (2f), moderate for R = Me and Et (2a, 2b), and poor with the remaining R groups (2c-2e). A radical mechanism is proposed for this reaction, the leaving group properties of R determining the direction of the cleavage. The crystal and molecular structures of compounds 2a and 2f were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Ex0 positions were found for the N-Me and P-R groups. The isomers with the R group in the endo position are also present in solution in small amounts, as detected by NMR spectroscopy. Isomer interconversion by P inversion is slow on the NMR time scale. Compounds 2a, 2b and 2f were oxidized with elemental sulfur and selenium to give the monosulfides and selenides, respectively (2aS, 2aSe, 2 bS, 2bSe, 2fS, 2fSe Tertiary phosphanes R3P are versatile ligands in coordination chemistry. Indroduction of functional groups in their organic substituents R can be used as a method to modify the properties of the ligands and of the complexes derived therefrom. The phosphanes can, for example, become (P,N)-ambi-or polydentate in nature, as tertiary amine functions become part of the organic framework [']. Owing to the hydrophilic nature of these amine functions, such ligands and their complexes will become soluble in water and other polar solvents.An example in case is 1,3,5-triaza-7-phospha-adamantane (TPA)L2], which is known to be a suitable "soft" P-donor for low-valent transition with a small cone angle at the phosphorus atom, but also a "hard" ligand for metals in higher oxidation stated4]. It can be integrated into hydrogen-bonding networks based on its three tertiary amine functions, and it is easily solvated. The molecule is a strong nucleophile and forms both phosphonium and ammonium cations if treated with acids or alkyl hali d e~ [~]...