Polymeric arrangements of P-Se anions and a first insight into their reactivity.

The reactions of the P/Se-precursor Woollins' reagent [PhP(Se)mu-Se]2 with alkali-metal salts offer new perspectives for the synthesis of metal aggregates containing P-Se anions. Depending on the alkali-metal thiolates polymeric arrangements of [PhPSe3]2- or [PhPSe2Se-SeSe2PPh]2- dianions are observed and the mechanisms of their formation described.