[3+2] Fragmentation of a Pentaphosphido Ligand by Cyanide

The activation of white phosphorus (P 4 ) by transition‐metal complexes has been studied for several decades, but the functionalization and release of the resulting (organo)phosphorus ligands has rarely been achieved. Herein we describe the formation of rare diphosphan‐1‐ide anions from a P 5 ligand by treatment with cyanide. Cobalt diorganopentaphosphido complexes have been synthesized by a stepwise reaction sequence involving a low‐valent diimine cobalt complex, white phosphorus, and diorganochlorophosphanes. The reactions of the complexes with tetraalkylammonium or potassium cyanide afford a cyclotriphosphido cobaltate anion 5 and 1‐cyanodiphosphan‐1‐ide anions [R 2 PPCN] − ( 6‐R ). The molecular structure of a related product 7 suggests a novel reaction mechanism, where coordination of the cyanide anion to the cobalt center induces a ligand rearrangement. This is followed by nucleophilic attack of a second cyanide anion at a phosphorus atom and release of the P 2 fragment.