Heterobimetallic Cooperation Mediates the Transformation of White Phosphorus into Zwitterionic catena-Phosphonium(+)diphosphenide(-) Ligands

White phosphorus is sequentially activated and functionalized by stepwise reaction with cobalt and platinum metal complexes. The two zwitterionic diphenyl(alkyl)phosphonium(+)diphosphenide(-) molecules generated act as bridging side-on/end-on ligands that tether two different metal units (see picture of the complex core: C black, Co pale green, P orange, Pt green)