This thesis describes a variety of exchange reactions of
phosphorus derivatives of the type Q₃P where Q can be silyl, germyl
trimethylsilyl, tributyltin and trimethyltin. These phosphines are
treated with silyl and germyl halides and the products of reaction are investigated by n.m.r. spectroscopy.Farther exchange reactions were carried out on the phosphines
(type Q₃P) with PF₂Br. A new diphosphine (GeH₃)₂PPF₂ was isolated and
many other diphosphines were prepared in solution, though for a variety
of reasons no other derivatives were found to be isolable. It was
possible to obtain the n.m.r. parameters of a widé variety of compounds.The formation of bis(PF₂) and tris (PF₂) was observed in the n.m.r. spectrum of a reaction involving the tin phosphine (Bu₃ⁿSn)₃P
and an excess of PF₂Br. The doubly and triple substituted phosphines
i.e. (PF₂)₂PSnBu₃ⁿ and (PF₂)₃P could be identified in the various
spectra that were recorded.Borane adducts were prepared of several of the new diphosphines
and were likewise characterised by n.m.r. analysis.As (GeH₃)₂PPF₂ was isolable, it was characterised by vibrational spectroscopy. The photoelectron spt:ctru.m was recorded and preliminary structural ideas could be made. The gas phase electron diffraction study
enabled the bond lengths and angles to be measured.The diphosphine (GeH₃)₂PPF₂ was farther subjected to reaction with a variety of reagents to investigate cleavage of the P-P bond, co- ordination on to organometailic compounds and possible farther exchange.Conclusions and suggestions for farther work are made
