31P nmr has been used to show that, in MeNO2, M(SbF6)2 (M = Sn or Pb) forms 1:1 complexes with Ph2P(CH2)2PPh2, PhP[(CH2)2PPh2]2, MeC(CH2PPh2)3, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]P[(CH2)2PPh2]3, and Ph2P[(CH2)2PPh]2(CH2)2PPh2. The phosphonium ligands are formed in situ. Spectra characteristics of slow inter- and intramolecular exchange were obtained in all cases except, perhaps, those involving the last two ligands, which may be involved in rapid intramolecular exchange. For the first five ligands, the maximum denticity is achieved and unambiguous one-bond M(II)—31P (M = 117/119Sn or 207Pb) coupling constants are reported and discussed. In the presence of M(SbF6)2 (M = Sn or Pb). PPh3 is protonated in MeNO2, while in acetone Sn(SbF6)2 forms a 1:1 complex with PPh3 which appears to be solvent-inserted, [Sn—O—CMe2PPh3]2+.Reduced temperature 31P nmr spectroscopy has allowed the detection of 1:2 and 1:3 (M:L) complexes of OPPh3, and 1:1 complexes of Ph2P(O)(CH2)2P(O)Ph2, PhP(O)[(CH2)2P(O)Ph2]2, and (O)P[(CH2)2P(O)Ph2]3, with both tin(II) and lead(II). The 1:1 complexes with polydentate ligands are isolable; nmr shows that the maximum denticity occurs except with the last ligand which behaves in a tridentate manner. Several two-bond M—O—P coupling constants have been obtained. Also, the changes which complexation produces in the P—P couplings are compared with changes produced in the analogous phosphine complexes.The synthesis and characterization of Ph2P(E)[(CH2)2P(E)Ph]2(CH2)2P(E)Ph2 (E = S or Se) and (Se)P[(CH2)2P(Se)Ph2]3 are reported. The 31P nmr spectra of these compounds are compared with those of the parent tetraphosphines and other members of the corresponding tetraoxide–tetrachalcogenide series.

Using low-temperature 31P nmr, many new complexes formed between divalent cadmium (as Cd(SbF6)2) and monodentate phosphine chalcogenides in liquid SO2 have been characterized. A 4:1 (L:M) complex is formed with Bu′3PS and, possibly, Bu′3PSe. 4:1 and 3:1 complexes are formed with Ph3PE, (o-C6H4Me)Ph2PE, (p-C6H4Me)3PE, and (C6H11)3PE (E = S or Se) as well as (o-C6H4Me)2PhPSe, while 4:1, 3:1 and 2:1 complexes occur for (o-C6H4Me)3PE (E = S or Se), and, probably, (o-C6H4Me)2PhPS. In addition, ail the mixed ligand complexes in the series [Cd(SeP(C6H11)3)n(SP(C6H11)3)4–n]2+, [Cd(SeP(C6H11)3)n(SP(C6H11)3)3–n]2+, and [Cd(SeP(o-C6H4Me)3)n(SP(o-C6H4Me)3)3–n]2+ have been identified.Trends in the 31P nmr data are discussed.