The synthesis of phosphorus heterocycles from tetra-tert-butyltetraphosphacubane

Tetra-tert-butyltetraphosphacubane, P(4)C(4)(t)Bu(4), reacts with water in the presence of 'GaI' to yield two products, namely 4,6,7,8-tetra-tert-butyl-1,2,3-triphospha-5-phosphoniatetracyclo[3.2.1.0(2,4).0(3,8)]oct-6-ene tetraiodogallate(III), (C(20)H(37)P(4))[GaI(4)], and triiodo(3,5,7,8-tetra-tert-butyl-1,2,4lambda(5),6-tetraphosphatetracyclo[4.1.1.0(2,5).0(7,8)]octan-4-one)gallium(III), [GaI(3)(C(20)H(38)OP(4))], both of which have been structurally characterized. The X-ray crystal structure determination of the former compound shows it to be an ion-separated salt, while the latter compound is a neutral phosphinite complex of GaI(3).