Coordination chemistry of hepta- tert -butylnonaphosphane.

Hepta- tert -butylnonaphosphane { cyclo -(P 4 t Bu 3 )} 2 P t Bu was employed as a ligand in transition metal complexes of iron(0) (1), cobalt(-I) (2), copper(I) (3) and rhodium(I) (4), which are readily formed in moderate to good yields, and an unstable palladium(II) complex (5). The ligand features three different bonding modes (one monodentate (compounds 1 and 2) and two bidentate (compounds 3-5) with formation of four- or six-membered chelate rings), as determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The 31 P{ 1 H} NMR spectral data of 1-3 have been determined by automated line-shape analysis.