OXIDATION OF (ASPH(2))(2)E (E=O OR S) - SUPRAMOLECULAR HYDROGEN-BONDED SELF-ASSEMBLY OF AN UNUSUAL TETRANUCLEAR ADDUCT AND CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF [ASPH(2)(O)OH-CENTER-DOT-ASPH(2)(S)OH](2)

Oxidation of (AsPh(2))(2)E(E = O or S) with tert-butyl hydroperoxide a nd sulfur in the ratios 1:1 and 1:2 has been investigated in an attemp t to produce compounds of the type AsPh(2)(E)-E-AsPh(2) and [AsPh(2)(E )](2)E. Although it has been possible to isolate all four compounds of the type AsPh(2)(E)-E-AsPh(2), where E = O or S, the dioxidation prod ucts are less stable and recrystallisation of the products from oxidat ion of (AsPh(2))(2)O with sulfur and (AsPh(2))(2)S with tert-butyl hyd roperoxide leads to a mixed arsinic acid-monothioarsinic acid [AsPh(2) (O)OH . AsPh(2)(S)OH](2). This compound has an unusual tetranuclear st ructure, arising from simultaneous intermolecular hydrogen bond format ion between the OH groups of the constituent acids and the oxygen of a centrosymmetrically related diphenylarsinic acid molecule.