Phosphorus Rings, Clusters, Chains, and Layers

Phosphorus compounds with P–P bonds (polyphosphides, phosphanes, and organophosphorus compounds) are considered as compounds formed by ions or radicals with a skeleton consisting of phosphorus atoms linked covalently to one another; the structure of such skeletons depends little on the nature of the ions or radicals attached to them. The simplest structural elements of such skeletons have been isolated and the rules governing their combination into clusters, chains, layers, and cross-linked structures have been established. A classification is proposed and formulae are presented for homologous matrices of phosphorus skeletons and the wide variety of their structures is demonstrated. Certain aspects of the stereochemistry of polyphosphorus compounds are discussed. Its general features and the way it differs from the stereochemistry of organic compounds have been established. The considerable scope of the chemistry of polyphosphorus compounds is noted.
The bibliography includes 47 references.