Synthesis, properties and structures of methyldiphenylphosphonium 1-indenylide, 1-C9H6PMePh2, and its chiral tricarbonylchromium(0) complex Cr(η5-1-C9H6PMePh2)(CO)3

The indenyl-derived ylide, methyldiphenylphosphonium 1-indenylide, 1-C9H6PMePh2, reacts with Cr(CO)6 to form the corresponding chromium(0) complex, Cr(η5-1-C9H6PMePh2)(CO)3. Both new compounds have been characterized spectroscopically and crystallographically, and Cr(η5-1-C9H6PMePh2)(CO)3 is shown to exhibit planar chirality resulting from coordination of the prochiral aromatic ligand.