A novel synthesis has been devised for the preparation of unsymmetrical pho
sphine substituted derivatives of bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane [dppe]. The
title ligand has been prepared in a two step procedure from dppe. A palladi
um(II) complex of this new ligand has been prepared and characterised by si
ngle crystal X-ray diffraction. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights r
eserved.