Two isomers of trichlorotris(dimethylphenylphosphine)tungsten and their potential for equilibration with W2Cl6(PMe2Ph)n

A new (comproportionation) synthesis of WCl 3 (PMe 2 Ph) 3 , as well as the coexistence of two structural is reported. These are characterized by 1 H NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Equilibration of these two species is effected at 80 o C, with mer converting completely to fac. It is not possible to convert the WCl 3 L 3 (L=PMe 2 Ph) species to either of the known dimers W 2 Cl 6 L n (n=3, 4). The mer→fac immerization is shown to be catalyzed by WCl 4 L 2 (but not by WCl 4 L 2 )