Unusual metal-coordinated zwitterionic P-C-N-C-N-C phosphido adducts

Rare examples of homodinuclear zwitterionic PdII and PtII complexes with bridging, two-coordinate P{cyclo-CH2N(R)CHN- (R)CH2} ligands (R = 4-FC6H4CH2, C6H5CH2) have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. Short N-C distances and enlarged N-C-N bond angles support electron delocalization in the central N-C-N backbone.