LAUSR

Abstract Group 6 metal (Cr, Mo, W) carbonyl complexes react with cyclo-(P5Ph5) to afford the phosphorus-rich complexes [Cr(CO)5{cyclo-(P5Ph5)-κP1}] (1), [{Cr(CO)5}2{μ-cyclo-(P5Ph5)-κP1,P3}] (2), [M(CO)4{cyclo-(P5Ph5)-κP1,P3}] (with M=Cr (3), Mo (4), W (exo-5, endo-5)) depending on the reaction conditions. Complexes 1–5 were characterised by 31P{1H} NMR and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. The cyclopentaphosphane remains intact and acts as monodentate (1), bridging (2) or bidentate (3–5) ligand. Compounds exo-5 and endo-5 are configurational isomers and essentially differ in the orientations adopted by the phenyl rings attached to the uncoordinated phosphorus atoms. The 31P{1H} NMR spectra show five multiplets for an ABCDE spin system. Theoretical calculations showed that exo-5 and endo-5 are practically isoenergetic, which is in good agreement with the observed equilibrium in solution between exo-5 and endo-5. The thermal properties of the complexes have also been evaluated.