Formation of palladium phosphides in the reaction of bis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium(0) with white phosphorus

The reaction of bis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium(0) with white phosphorus was studied using the methods of NMR, UV spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. The products of the reaction are shown to be palladium phosphides, their composition depending on the ratio of the reagents. The mechanism of the formation of the palladium-enriched phosphides is suggested, which includes the formation of palladium diphosphide PdP2 that subsequently reacts with the excess of bis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium(0) leading to palladium phosphides Pd5P2, Pd3P0.8, Pd4.8P, and free dibenzylideneacetone.