Transition metal dithiophosphate complex

Transition metal dithiophosphate complexes are coordination compounds containing dithiophosphate ligands, i.e. ligands of the formula (RO)2PS−
2. The homoleptic complexes have formulas M[S2P(OR)2]2 and M[S2P(OR)2]3. These neutral complexes tend to be soluble in organic solvents, especially when R is branched.

Perhaps the most important members are zinc dialkyldithiophosphates, which are oil additives. Such compounds are prepared by the reaction of dialkoxydithiophoric acid with metal oxides, chlorides, and acetates.[1]

Structure of a zinc dialkyldithiophosphate.
  1. ^ David E. Coldbery, W. Conard Fernelius, Maurice Shamma, "Chromium(III) O,O′-Diethyl Dithiophosphate" Inorganic Syntheses, 1960 volume 6, pp. 142–143. doi:10.1002/9780470132371.ch44