Facile preparation of trimethylsilylphosphaalkyne and its conversion to polyphospholide anions

Me3SiCP may be prepared by dehydrochlorination of Me3SiCH2PCl2 at room temperature in aromatic solvents using DABCO in the presence of AgOTf. Reaction of Me3SiCP with a selection of s-block metals, s-block metal salts and ytterbium effects conversion to a mixture of di- and triphospholide anions. This mixture of anions was subsequently reacted with FeCl2 to yield a mixture of tetra-, penta- and hexaphosphaferrocenes.