1,2-Bis(dichlorophosphino)benzene

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1,2-Bis(dichlorophosphino)benzene is an organophosphorus compound used as a building block for making chelating diphosphine ligands (C6H4(PR2)2). It has the formula C6H4Cl4P2 and appears as a colorless, viscous liquid. Its IUPAC name is (1,2-Phenylene)bis(phosphonous dichloride).

How it’s made:
- Start from 1,2-dibromobenzene.
- Replace the bromines with lithium in a step called lithiation.
- React the dilithiated compound with (Et2N)2PCl (diethylamino-dichlorophosphine) to form C6H4[P(NEt2)2]2.
- Finally, treat this intermediate with hydrogen chloride to obtain C6H4(PCl2)2.

Key properties:
- Molecular formula: C6H4Cl4P2
- Molar mass: about 279.85 g/mol
- Boiling point: 97–99 °C

Safety:
- This compound is hazardous and should be handled with proper safety precautions, including protective equipment and appropriate lab procedures.