Transition-metal catalysed metathesis of phosphorus–phosphorus double bonds

Abstract
W(PMe3)6 is an efficient chloride ion abstracting reagent for the synthesis of RPPR species from RPCl2 precursors; moreover, the W(PMe3)6–RPCl2 solutions catalyse the exchange of the diphosphene PR end-groups via a mechanism closely related to the olefin metathesis process.