The reaction of transition metal carbonyl compounds,
notably clusters,with phosphorus(III) compounds has
been extensively studied,a nd over the years many fascinating
reactions and structural features have been observed
[1]. Perhaps the most notable new chemistry in
this field to emerge very recently is that of Adams who
has prepared heteronuclear clusters from the reaction of
various ruthenium carbonyl clusters with PdðPtBu3Þ2 [2].
Despite these extensive studies we have recently discovered
a reaction between a cluster and a diphosphene,
involving a P@P double bond,that was previously unknown
and we describe this reaction herein.