Reactions of RTeCl3 (R = 2‑phenylazophenyl) with Diorganophosphinic Acids. Te–C Bond Cleavage and Stabilization of the TeO Motif in an Umbrella-Shaped Te5O11P2 Multi-metallacyclic Framework

The reaction of 1,1,2,3,3-pentamethyltrimethylenephosphinic acid cycP­(O)­OH and (C6H11)2P­(O)­OH with monoorganotellurium trichloride RTeCl3 (R = 2-phenylazophenyl) in benzene at room temperature afforded two pentanuclear complexes, [(RTe)4(TeO)­(μ-O)6(cycPO2)2]·THF­(1) [cycPO2 = 1,1,2,3,3-pentamethylene phosphinate] and [(RTe)4(TeO)­(μ-O)6{(C6H11)2PO2}2]·2C6H6 (2). The reactions leading to the formation of 1 and 2 involve a Te–C bond cleavage. 1 and 2 are isostructural complexes and contain a Te4P2O6 macrocyclic framework that is part of a Te5O11P2 multi-metallacyclic framework. Both of these compounds contain a central inorganic TeO connected to four other tellurium centers through four μ-O bridges.