Utilizing the weak P−Cr bond in [{CpCr(CO)3}2(μ,η1:1−P4)] for the generation of different P4 butterfly compounds

A novel reactivity of [{Cp*Cr(CO)3}2(μ,η1:1−P4)] (Cp*=C5Me5; 1) is reported, which utilizes the selective cleavage of the two P−Cr bonds and subsequently initiates a substituent exchange yielding P4 butterfly compounds. By means of NMR and IR spectroscopy studies, the successful implementation of 1 to obtain [{Cp′′′Fe(CO)2}2(μ,η1:1−P4)] (Cp′′′=C5H2tBu3; 2) and Cp′′′2P4 (3) could be confirmed, by reacting 1 with 2.0 eq. of K[Cp′′′Fe(CO)2] or NaCp′′′, respectively. Hereby, a quantitative conversion could be detected alongside the formation of 2.0 eq. of the [Cp*Cr(CO)3]− anion. Moreover, various syntheses of novel organometallic and organo‐P4 butterfly compounds were examined and first results show that the generation of different compounds should be possible. However, the isolation and stabilization of these sensitive molecules proves to be a major challenge.