Synthesis, crystal and molecular structures of pyridine adducts of the zinc and cadmium bis-1,2,4-triphospholyl complexes [M(η1-P3C2tBu2)2(NC5H5)n] (M=Zn, n=2; M=Cd, n=3)

The reaction between zinc or cadmium dichloride and the triphospholyl anion P3C2tBu2− in each case leads to highly insoluble orange compounds, the structures of which are believed to be polymeric. Subsequent treatment with pyridine leads to the monomeric complexes [M(η1-P3C2tBu2)2(NC5H5)n] (M=Zn, n=2; M=Cd, n=3). Both complexes, which are fluxional in solution even at low temperature, have been fully characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.