SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ZIRCONIUM COMPLEXES WITH THE DIPHOSPHINOPHOSPHIDE LIGANDS -P(CH2CH2PR(2))(2) (R=ME OR ET) - CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF OETHYL)PHOSPHIDO]PENTACHLOROHYDRIDODIZIRCONIUM(IV)

A new high-yield selective synthesis of the ditertiary phosphino secon dary phosphines P(CHCH2PR2)2H (R = Me or Et) has been developed. Follo wing deprotonation, the multidentate anionic phosphides have been appl ied to the synthesis of new classes of zirconium and hafnium phosphide s. New compounds of the form [ZrCl2L2], [Zr2Cl6L2], [Zr2Cl5HL2] and [Z r2Cl3L3] [L = - P(CH2CH2PMe2)2] are reported and are characterised by spectroscopic and analytical methods. The crystal structure of the hyd rido complex has been determined and shows a binuclear structure conta ining bridging phosphide and hydride ligands.