Symmetrization in a phosphinidene-bridged complex to give a diphosphanediyl derivative with metal-centered reactivity.

The phosphinidene complex [Mo(2)Cp(μ-κ(1):κ(1),η(5)-PC(5)H(4))(CO)(2)(η(6)-HMes*)] reacts with CO to give the diphosphanediyl derivative [Mo(2){μ-κ(1),η(5):κ(1),η(5)-(C(5)H(4))PP(C(5)H(4))}(η(6)-HMes*)(2)]. The latter compound features unreactive lone electron pairs at phosphorus, which instead contribute to the electronic communication between metal centers via a weak π(PP)-bonding interaction. As a result, this complex displays metal-centered acid-base and redox behavior.