2,3-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,4-diazadienes RN=C(PPh2)-C(PPh2)=NR (1a, R = 4-tolyl; 1b, R = 4-tert-butylphenyl; 1c, R = mesityl) were used as novel ligands for transition metals. The metal complexes [(1c)Mo(CO)4] (2a), [(1c)[Mo(CO)4]2] (2b), [(1a)Cu(Cl)(PPh3)] (3), and [(1b)[(NiBr2(THF))]2] (4) were characterized by elemental analysis, MS, and 31P[1H], 1H, and 13C NMR spectra (except the paramagnetic complex 4). Additionally, the molecular structure of the complexes in the solid state was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 2a and 2b the chelating ligand coordinates via the N,P donor set, whereas in 3 the chelating ligand coordinates via the two P atoms. 4 contains a square-planar (P,P)NiBr2 moiety on the one side of the bridging ligand 1b. On the opposite side the 1,2-dimine unit bonds to another Ni center having octahedral geometry. The bulkier ligand 1c reacts to form the mononuclear compound 5. X-ray diffraction analysis of single crystals shows that 5 contains a quinoxaline derivative with a cyclohexa-1,3-diene ring in the peripheral position. Furthermore, it contains a bis(diphenylphosphino)-ethylene unit coordinating the NiBr2. This arrangement is the result of an intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition between the 1,2-diimine unit (as diheterodiene) and the benzene ring of the 4-tolyl-N substituent (as dieneophile). The same type of ring-closing reaction followed by a tautomerization reaction to form the mononuclear compound 6 occurred by dissolution of the binuclear complex 4 in methanol. This reaction can be used as a simple method for the synthesis of novel 1,2-bis(diarylphosphanyl)ethylenes containing a quinoxaline backbone.

The solid-state structures of several 2,3-bis(phosphanyl)-1,4-diazadiene ligands of the general formula RN= C(PPh 2 )−C(PPh 2 )=NR (B: R = 4-tolyl; C: R = 4-tert-butylphenyl; D: R = mesityl) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The ligands B and C are nonplanar and lie between the (E) and the (Z) form (N=C−C=N is 99.5°in B, 94.0°in C, and 128.2°in D). In the presence of air, B is oxidized to its corresponding phosphane oxide. Reaction of D with elemental sulfur yields the corresponding phosphane sulfide. Furthermore, ligand C reacts with [PtCl 2 (cod)] and [PdCl 2 (CH 3 CN) 2 ] to form mononuclear complexes (1 and 2, respectively) in which the two P atoms are bound to the metal center. X-ray structural analysis showed that in both complexes the 1,4-diazadiene functionality at the periphery had undergone a ring-closure reaction with one of the aromatic N-substituents thus resulting in a quinoxaline ring. The bulkier ligand D reacts with [PdCl 2 (CH 3 CN) 2 ] to form the monon-