P-P bond activation of P4 tetrahedron by group 13 carbenoid and its bis molybdenum pentacarbonyl adduct.

Activation of white phosphorus with Ga(DDP) (DDP = 2-diiso-propylphenylamino-4-diiso-propylphenylimino-2-pentene) afforded [(DDP)Ga(P(4))] (1) by insertion of the Ga(I) center at one of the six P-P bonded edges of the P(4) tetrahedron. Further reaction of 1 with three equivalents of Mo(CO)(6) results in the formation of [(DDP)Ga(eta(2:1:1)-P(4)){Mo(CO)(5)}(2)] x 2 toluene (2). Compounds 1 and 2 are characterized by (1)H, (13)C, and (31)P NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single crystal X-ray structural analysis. The solid-state structure of molecule 1 reveals the first example of a structurally characterized GaP(4) core stabilized by a beta-diketiminate ligand. Compound 2 represents a rare type of coordination mode of a gallium supported P(4) butterfly structure.