The first arsaphosphaallene, ArP=C=AsAr (I; Ar = 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylp
henyl), has been synthesized by debromofluorination of the (phosphaalk
enyl)fluoroarsane 5 by n-butyllithium at low temperature and character
ized by NMR (delta(P) +159.7 ppm, delta(C) +299.5 ppm) and X-ray analy
sis. A H-1 NMR study between +55 and -60 degrees C allowed the determi
nation of the rotation barrier of Ar groups.