Isomerization of Secondary Phosphirane into Terminal Phosphinidene Complexes: An Analogy between Monovalent Phosphorus and Transition Metals.

Secondary phosphirane complexes isomerize above 100 °C to give the corresponding terminal phosphinidene complexes, which can be trapped by alkenes and alkynes. This reaction is a rare instance of the isomerization of a PIII derivative into a PI derivative. It appears to mimic the reductive elimination of alkanes from transition-alkylmetal hydrides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]