1,2-Bis(dichlorophosphino)ethane is an organophosphorus compound with the formula (CH<sub>2</sub>PCl<sub>2</sub>)<sub>2</sub>. This colorless liquid is a precursor to chelating diphosphines.
It is prepared by the reaction of ethylene, white phosphorus, and phosphorus trichloride:
The compound reacts with Grignard reagents and secondary amines to give chelating ligands. An often practiced use of this compound is the synthesis of 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane.