Triphosphenium salts: air-stable precursors for phosphorus() chemistry

The chemistry of low-coordinate phosphorus-containing species is an area of intense interest in modern main group chemistry. While typical routes for accessing such species include pyrophoric phosphorus-centered precursors or harsh reducing agents, triphosphenium cations represent a more convenient and safer alternative. This Perspective summarizes the use of air- and moisture-stable triphosphenium salts of [dppeP] + as a source of P + ions for the generation of a variety of new and/or useful low-coordinate phosphorus-containing species. These range from phosphorus-rich oligomers to phosphamethine cyanine dyes. Special emphasis is placed on the electronic structure of the newly generated species as well as their subsequent reactivity. This Perspective summarizes the use of air- and moisture-stable triphosphenium salts of [dppeP] + as sources of P + ions to generate low-coordinate P-containing species. The electronic structure and subsequent reactivity of these species is emphasized.