Synthesis of bis(trithio)phosphines by oxidative transfer of phosphorus(i)

The synthesis of novel bis(trithio)phosphines is achieved by oxidative addition of tetrathiocins to the phosphorus(i) reagent [P dppe][Br] in good yields under ambient conditions. These bis(trithio)phosphines and the related intermediate diphosphine species are characterized by X-ray diffraction and multinuclear NMR and a mechanism is proposed for the formation of these molecules. In contrast, the related reaction with diphenyldisulfide produces a mononuclear tris(phenylthio)phosphine.