THE PREPARATION AND REACTIONS OF 1,6-DIPHOSPHATRICYCLO[4.4.4.0]TETRADECANEDIIUM DITRIFLUOROMETHANESULFONATE

1,6-Diphosphatricyclo[4.4.4.0]tetradecanediium ditriflate, prepared by the reaction of 1,6-diphosphabicyclo[4.4.0]decane with 1,4-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy)butane, is stable in acidic aqueous solutions and reaction with nucleophiles (X = F-, MeO-, H-1) gives products with X-P-P+ bonding, hydroxide ion giving the diphosphine monoxide but even this retains partial P-P bonding: the hydride adduct reacts with Bu(n)Li to give 1,4-bis(phospholan-1-yl)butane rather than the expected 1,6-diphosphabicyclo[4.4.4]tetradecane.