Stabilization of phosphorus in (1,2,3,4,5-pentaphenylphosphole)palladium

Our quantum chemical calculations predicted high stability of a palladium complex with 1,2,3,4,5-pentaphenylphosphole (ppp). The ligand, ppp, is unstable in free state and readily oxidized in air when in solution. The complex Pd(ppp) was synthesized and detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. A Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry study revealed the presence of the complex in a solution after six months storage of the solution in air, thus demonstrating the possibility to stabilize the phosphorus ligand by complexation with transition metal.