Different Transformation Pathways in the Photolysis of [Cp*P{W(CO)5}2]

Photolysis of [Cp*P{W(CO)5}2] (1) leads to the novel complex [{Cp*(CO)6W2}(µ-H)(-1:1:1-P2){W(CO)5}2] (4), which was structurally and spectroscopically characterised. The product is formed by a Cp* migration within 1 to give the phosphido complex intermediate [Cp*(CO)2WPW(CO)5], as well as by a Cp* elimination to form an intermediate of the type [P{W(CO)5}2], both of which dimerise to yield product 4