Phosphinidenes (IUPAC: phosphanylidenes, formerly phosphinediyls) are low-valent phosphorus compounds analogous to carbenes and nitrenes, having the general structure RP.[1][2] The "free" form of these compounds is conventionally described as having a singly-coordinated phosphorus atom containing only 6 electrons in its valence level.[2] Most phosphinidenes are highly reactive and short-lived, thereby complicating empirical studies on their chemical properties.[3][4] In the last few decades, several strategies have been employed to stabilize phosphinidenes (e.g. π-donation, steric protection, transition metal complexation),[2][3] and researchers have developed a number of reagents and systems that can generate and transfer phosphinidenes as reactive intermediates in the synthesis of various organophosphorus compounds.[5][6][7][8]
^ abcLammertsma, Koop (2003), Majoral, Jean-Pierre (ed.), "Phosphinidenes", New Aspects in Phosphorus Chemistry III, Topics in Current Chemistry, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, pp. 95–119, doi:10.1007/b11152, ISBN978-3-540-36551-8, retrieved 2020-11-02