1,2-Bis(dichlorophosphino)benzene is an organophosphorus compound with the formula C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>(PCl<sub>2</sub>)<sub>2</sub>. This viscous colorless liquid is a precursor to chelating diphosphines of the type C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>(PR<sub>2</sub>)<sub>2</sub>. It is prepared from 1,2-dibromobenzene by sequential lithiation followed by treatment with (Et<sub>2</sub>N)<sub>2</sub>PCl (Et = ethyl), which affords C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>[P(NEt<sub>2</sub>)<sub>2</sub>]<sub>2</sub>. This species is finally cleaved with hydrogen chloride: