Tetraphenyldiphosphine is the organophosphorus compound with the formula [PPh<sub>2</sub>]<sub>2</sub>, where Ph = phenyl (C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>). It is a white, air-sensitive solid that dissolves in nonpolar solvents. It is a centrosymmetric molecule with a P-P bond of 2.2592 ÃÂ .
Tetraphenyldiphosphine is produced by reductive coupling of chlorodiphenylphosphine...
...or dehydrogenation of diphenylphosphine catalyzed by bis(triphenylphospine)nickel(II) bromide:
The compound is used as a source of the Ph<sub>2</sub>P<sup>âÂÂ</sup> group.
Alternatively, the compound can homolyze along the weak P–P bond, in which case the resulting radicals add to alkenes and alkynes.
Oxidation with oxygen or sulfur gives the corresponding diphosphine dioxide or disulfide.