Photolytic Reductive Elimination of White Phosphorus from a Mononuclear cyclo‐P4 Transition Metal Complex

White phosphorus (P₄) is both highly toxic and pyrophoric but its synthetic utility is well appreciated. In their Communication (DOI: 10.1002/anie.201809042), J. S. Figueroa et al. deactivate P₄ by coordination to a molecular molybdenum complex that is safe to handle and air stable. Yet, when this complex is irradiated, intact P₄ tetrahedra are eliminated in a controlled manner. Thus, like fireflies trapped in a jar, phosphorus is held in an inert state by coordination to molybdenum until violet light is used to release white phosphorus, which, like fireflies, can glow in the dark.

from A via a.sfakia on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2RNBDbD