Stabilization and transfer of the transient [Mes*P4]‒ butterfly anion using BPh3

The transient bicyclo[1.1.0]tetraphosphabutane anion, generated from white phosphorus (P4 ) and Mes*Li (Mes*=2,4,6-tBu3 C6 H2 ), can be trapped by BPh3 in THF. This Lewis acid stabilized anion can be used as an [RP4 ](-) transfer agent, reacting cleanly with neutral Lewis acids (B(C6 F5 )3 , BH3 , and W(CO)5 ) to afford unique singly and doubly coordinated butterfly anions, and with the trityl cation to form a neutral, nonsymmetrical, all-carbon-substituted P4 derivative. This reaction path enables a simple, stepwise functionalization of white phosphorus.