A series of complexes of the phosphorus-based TTF ligand o-P2 with the metal ions Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Pd(II), Pt(II), and Ag(I).

Reactions of 3,4-dimethyl-3',4'-bis(diphenylphosphino)tetrathiafulvalene, o-P2, with BF(4) salts of Fe(ii), Co(ii), Ni(II), Pd(II), and Pt(II) yield complexes of general formula [M(o-P2)(2)]BF(4). Similar reactions between o-P2 and AgSbF(6) or AgPF(6) produced the salts [Ag(o-P2)(2)][X] where X = SbF(6) or PF(6). The resulting compounds were fully characterized by (1)H and (31)P{(1)H} NMR, infrared and electronic absorption spectroscopies, cyclic voltammetry, FAB-MS and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The paramagnetic Co(II) compound exhibits an S = 3/2 state with large spin-orbit coupling contribution at higher temperatures and an effective S' = 1/2 state below 20 K. Electrochemical studies of the compounds indicate that the two functionalized TTF ligands are not in electronic communication and that they essentially behave as isolated redox centers.