Synthesis and structural characterisation of the first tris(diacylpnictido)phosphines, P[E{C(O)R}2]3, E = P or As, R = But or Ph

The reactions of the 2-phospha- or 2-arsa-dionatolithium complexes, [Li(DME){η2-O,O-OC(R)EC(R)}], E = P or As, R = But or Ph, with PCl3 have afforded the first examples of tris(diacylpnictido)phosphines, P[E{C(O)R}2]3, two of which have been structurally characterised.