Reactions of t Bu 2 P–PLi–P t Bu 2 with [(Et 3 P) 2 MCl 2 ] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt). Synthesis and Properties of [(1,2‐η‐ t Bu 2 P=P–P t Bu 2 )M(PEt 3 )Cl] (M=Ni, Pd)

t Bu 2 P–PLi–P t Bu 2 ·2THF reacts with [ cis ‐(Et 3 P) 2 MCl 2 ] (M = Ni, Pd) yielding [(1,2‐η‐ t Bu 2 P=P–P t Bu 2 )Ni(PEt 3 )Cl] and [(1,2‐η‐ t Bu 2 P=P–P t Bu2)Pd(PEt 3 )Cl], respectively. t Bu 2 P– PLi–P t Bu 2 undergoes an oxidation process and the t Bu 2 P–P–P t Bu 2 ligand adopts in the products the structure of a side‐on bonded 1,1‐di‐ tert ‐butyl‐2‐(di‐ tert ‐butylphosphino)diphosphenium cation with a short P–P bond. Surprisingly, the reaction of t Bu 2 P–PLi–P t Bu 2 ·2THF with [ cis ‐(Et 3 P) 2 PtCl 2 ] does not yield [(1,2‐η‐ t Bu 2 P=P–P t Bu 2 )Pt(PEt 3 )Cl].