Metal phosphinylides and phosphinothioylides. VII. The structure of [Ph2PX]M (X=O, S) in solution and their disproportionation.

The species [Ph2PO]M in THF were found to exist as Ph2P–O–M by 31P-NMR, and [Ph2PS]MgCl as Ph2P–S–MgCl by Raman spectrum. The species [Ph2PS]M undergo easy disproportionation by heating.