“…[10] The analogous PR 4 ion has not yet been prepared, but ab initio calculations predict the same tetragonal pyramidal geometry as observed for AsR 4 . [11] In our search for a stable tetrametalated phosphonium salt (PR 4 X À , R metal ligand, X any counterion), we found that the tetrametalation of the triphosphenium salt 1 [12] with the Schwartz reagent [(C 5 H 5 ) 2 ZrHCl] (2) [13,14] in the molar ratio of 1:9 in THF and in the presence of triethylamine as an auxiliary base surprisingly leads to the tetrazirconio-substituted phosphonium cation in 3, which adopts an ªanti-vant Hoff ± Le Belº configuration. Compound 3 is diamagnetic, sparingly soluble in aromatic solvents, THF, and CH 2 Cl 2 , but soluble in DMF (but slow decomposition occurs), and has been isolated in an analytically pure state (correct C,H combustion analysis) in the form of green crystals in 11 % yield.…”