New ferrocene-derived hydroxymethylphosphines: FcP(CH2OH)2 [Fc=(η-C5H5)Fe(η-C5H4)] and the dppf analogue 1,1-Fc[P(CH2OH)2]2 [Fc=Fe(η-C5H4)2]

Reactions of the ferrocene-phosphines FcPH₂ and 1,1^′-Fc^′(PH₂)₂ with excess formaldehyde gives the new hydroxymethylphosphines FcP(CH₂OH)₂ 1 and 1,1^′-Fc^′P(CH₂OH)₂]₂ 2, respectively. Phosphine 1 is an air-stable crystalline solid, whereas 2 is isolated as an oil. Reaction of 1 with H₂O₂, S₈ or Se gives the chalcogenide derivatives FcP(E)(CH₂OH)₂ (E=O, S or Se), whilst reaction of 2 with S₈ gives 1,1^′-Fc^′P(S)(CH₂OH)₂]₂, which were fully characterised. Phosphine 1 was also characterised by an X-ray crystal structure determination.