Activation of gaseous PH3 with low coordinate diaryltetrylene compounds

The reaction of phosphine gas with a low coordinate diaryl germylene or diarylstannylene results in both oxidative addition and arene elimination at the group 14 atom. The products were characterised by P-31 NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, and represent the first P-H bond activation by a heavy group 14 element compound.