title: Stabilization and Transfer of the Transient [Mes*P4](-) Butterfly Anion Using BPh3.
abstract: The transient bicyclo[1.1.0]tetraphosphabutane anion, generated from white phosphorus (P4) and Mes*Li (Mes*=2,4,6-tBu3C6H2), can be trapped by BPh3 in THF. This Lewis acid stabilized anion can be used as an [RP4](-) transfer agent, reacting cleanly with neutral Lewis acids (B(C6F5)3, BH3, and W(CO)5) to afford unique singly and doubly coordinated butterfly anions, and with the trityl cation to form a neutral, nonsymmetrical, all-carbon-substituted P4  derivative. This reaction path enables a simple, stepwise functionalization of white phosphorus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1083, 1081 HV Amsterdam (The Netherlands).
authors.forename: Jaap E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Borger
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1083, 1081 HV Amsterdam (The Netherlands).
authors.forename: Andreas W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Ehlers
authors.affiliation: Crystal and Structural Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht (The Netherlands).
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1083, 1081 HV Amsterdam (The Netherlands).
authors.forename: J Chris
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Slootweg
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1083, 1081 HV Amsterdam (The Netherlands). K.Lammertsma@vu.nl.|Department of Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006 (South Africa). K.Lammertsma@vu.nl.
authors.forename: Koop
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lammertsma
keywords: Lewis acids; anions; boranes; organophosphorus compounds; phosphorus