Bis- and tris(pyrazolyl)borate/methane-stabilized P(III) -centered cations.

We report the synthesis of [H2 B(pz)2 PR](+) , [H2 C(pz)2 PR](+2) , [HB(pz)3 P](+2) , and [HC(pz)3 P](+3) (H2 B(pz)2 =bis(pyrazolyl)borate; H2 C(pz)2 =bis(pyrazolyl)methane; HB(pz)3 =tris(pyrazolyl)borate; HC(pz)3 =tris(pyrazolyl) methane; R=Ph, Cy or Et2 N) by reaction of the corresponding neutral or anionic ligands with chlorophosphines in the presence of TMSOTf. The structures of these compounds were determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis and the nature of their bonding was examined using density functional theory.