A 2-pyridyl (py) attached phosphine imine [P(Npy)(NHpy)3] and an imido phosphinate ion [P(Npy)2)(NHpy)2]- in its Ag(I) complex.

A new phosphine imine 3, [P(Npy)(NHpy)(3)] (py = 2-pyridyl), was synthesized from the phosphonium salt 1, [P(NHpy)(4)]Cl. Subsequent reaction of 1 or 3 with AgClO(4) lead to an unprecedented penta-nuclear Ag(I) complex 4 stabilized by two [P(Npy)(2)(NHpy)(2)](-) anions [L](-). The packing diagram of 4 shows an interesting channel structure which contains solvated molecules of methanol and toluene. The diimine ligand [L](-), which represents the N-analogue of a phosphinate ion (H(2)PO(4)(-)), was obtained in situ under the mild reaction conditions in the absence of a base.