Ph(2)PNP(Ph)(2)P(Ph)(2)NPPh(2) 1 is oxidised by S or Se to give Ph(2)P
(E)NP(Ph)(2)P(Ph)(2)NP(E)Ph(2) (E = S 2, E = Se 3), endcapped by ClAu
units or coordinated as a chelate with (CH3)(2)Pt; the diselenide 3 re
acts with [Ru-3(CO)(12)] via oxidative addition of Se2- ions acid expu
lsion of a PPh(2)(-) group to form a novel cluster containing the [Ph(
2)PNP(Ph)(2)NPPh(2)](-) ligand which is ligated by two terminal P atom
s and by one N atom.