Short Intermolecular Phosphorus…Phosphorus Distances in the Crystal Structures of Bis{Bis(Perfluoroaryl)Phosphino}Methanes

Abstract

The crystal structure of bis{bis(4-trifluoromethyltetrafluorophenyl)phosphino}-methane 2 determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction comprises pairs of molecules related by an inversion center and possessing short P•••P distances. The molecular structure and the structure of the pairs are similar to those in the crystal structure of bis{bis(pentafluorophenyl)-phosphino}methane, although the packing is different. Comparison with the structures of bis(diphenylphosphino)methane and bis{bis(pentafluorophenyl)phosphine}difluoromethane suggests that intramolecular C–H•••F–C interactions are the most important factor in determining the presence of the short P•••P distances in the crystal structures of bis(diarylphosphino)methanes.