The reactions of (Bu2P)-Bu-t-P=P(Me)Bu-t(2) and (Me3Si)(BuP)-Bu-t-P=P(Me)Bu-t(2) with PR3

(Bu2P)-Bu-t-P=P(Me)Bu-t(2) (1) reacts at 20 degreesC with PMe3, PEt3, P(c-H eX)(3), P(p-Tol)(3), PPh2Me, PPh2Et, PPhEt2, (PPh2Pr)-Pr-t, PPh3 and P(NEt2 )(3) yielding (Bu2P)-Bu-t-P=PR3 and (Bu2PMe)-Bu-t; however, (PBu3)-Bu-t, (P Bu2)-Bu-t(SiMe3) and (Bu2PCl)-Bu-t don't. (Bu2PH)-Bu-t and I form (Bu2P)-Bu -t-PH-(PBu2)-Bu-t which yields (Bu2P)-Bu-t-P=PEt3 when treated with PEt3. P h2PH, (BuPH2)-Bu-t, PH3, Ph2PCl and EtOH don't substitute the (Bu2PMe)-Bu-t group in 1, instead, the molecule is decomposed. With PEt3, (Me3Si)(BuP)-B u-t-P=P(Me)Bu-t(2) forms (Me3Si)(BuP)-Bu-t-P=PEt3. The compounds (Bu2P)-Bu- t-P=PR3 decompose at 20 degreesC to different degrees giving P-rich consecu tive products of the phosphino-phosphinidene.