and -CH2CEt2CH2-, have been synthesized in 80-90% yields by reaction of the corresponding sodium or ammonium salts of the appropriate dithiophosphoric acids with dimethyltellurium dichloride in toluene. Me,Te[S,P(OPh),], was also prepared in a similar fashion. The compounds have been characterised by elemental analyses -and 'H, l3C, 3 '~, and ' 2 5~e NMR, infrared and Raman spectroscopy. = 0.0295. The immediate environment about tellurium in both molecules is that of the saw-horse structure typical of tellurium(1V) compounds with the two methyl groups equatorial and one sulfur atom from each dithiophosphate group occupying the axial positions. The consideration of the second sulfur atom as part of the coordinating sphere is discussed in terms of a modification of Pauling's approach to partial bond orders. The 'H NMR spectra suggest that these dithiophosphates may be fluxional in solution andlor that there is rapid exchange of the sulfur atoms.