Synthesis and characterization of a new binucleating tetraphosphine ligand based on 1,2-phenylene chelates and the structures of dinickel tetrachloride complexes of the ligand.

A new binucleating tetraphosphine ligand, rac- and meso-(Et2P-1,2-C6H4)P(Ph)CH2(Ph)P(1,2-C6H4PEt2) (et,ph-P4-Ph), has been synthesized. Separation and purification of the ligand diastereomers have been accomplished via column chromatography. Ni2Cl4(et,ph-P4-Ph) complexes of both diastereomers have been prepared in high yield and crystallographically characterized.