A Proton‐Triggered Cascade Reaction Involving a Heavy p‐Block Multiple Bond: Transformation of the Diphosphene C<sub>5</sub>Me<sub>5</sub>P=PC<sub>5</sub>Me<sub>5</sub> into the Cationic Cage [C<sub>10</sub>Me<sub>10</sub>P<sub>2</sub>H]<sup>+</sup>
Journal article published in 2008 by
Oliver C. Presly,
Thomas J. Davin,
Michael Green,
Richard J. Kilby,
Stephen M. Mansell,
John E. McGrady,
Christopher A. Russell 
Abstract
Protonation of one of the phosphorus centers of the diphosphene C 5Me5P=PC5Me5 triggers a remarkable cascade reaction leading to the direct formation of a C10P 2 cage. Calculations suggest that the key mechanistic feature is the proximity of a C=C π-system to a developing positive charge on one of the phosphorus centers. © Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, 2008.