The stable diarsene ArAs=AsAr (1) and arsaphosphene ArAs=PAr (6) (Ar = 2,4,
6-tri-tert-butylphenyl) have been synthesized in excellent yields from the
difluoroarsine ArAsF2 by reaction with ArAs(Li)SiMe3 (for 1) and with ArP(H
)Li followed by t-BuLi (for 6). Compound 1, previously prepared by other ro
utes, as well as the new compound 6 were characterized by single-crystal X-
ray diffraction (d(As-As) 2.2634(3) Angstrom, d(P=As) 2.141(5) Angstrom). (
C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.