Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 9, 2026

1,2-Bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane

1,2-Bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe) is a diphosphine ligand in coordination chemistry. It is a colorless, air-sensitive liquid that is soluble in organic solvents. With the formula (CH2PMe2)2, dmpe is used as a compact strongly basic spectator ligand (Me = methyl), Representative complexes include V(dmpe)2(BH4)2, Mn(dmpe)2(AlH4)2, Tc(dmpe)2(CO)2Cl, and Ni(dmpe)Cl2.

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Jul 9, 2026
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Source
1,2-Bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane
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Names
Preferred IUPAC name
(Ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(dimethylphosphane)
Other names
DMPE
ethylenebis(dimethylphosphine)
1,2-Bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.155.809
EC Number
  • 627-450-6
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C6H16P2/c1-7(2)5-6-8(3)4/h5-6H2,1-4H3 checkY
    Key: ZKWQSBFSGZJNFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C6H16P2/c1-7(2)5-6-8(3)4/h5-6H2,1-4H3
    Key: ZKWQSBFSGZJNFP-UHFFFAOYAN
  • P(C)(C)CCP(C)C
Properties
C6H16P2
Molar mass 150.142 g·mol−1
Density 0.9 g/mL at 25 °C
Boiling point 180 °C (356 °F; 453 K)
Hazards
GHS labelling:1
GHS02: FlammableGHS07: Exclamation mark
Danger
H225, H250, H315, H319, H335
P210, P222, P231, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264, P264+P265, P271, P280, P302+P335+P334, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P319, P321, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P370+P378, P403+P233, P403+P235, P405, P501
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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1,2-Bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe) is a diphosphine ligand in coordination chemistry. It is a colorless, air-sensitive liquid that is soluble in organic solvents. With the formula (CH2PMe2)2, dmpe is used as a compact strongly basic spectator ligand (Me = methyl), Representative complexes include V(dmpe)2(BH4)2, Mn(dmpe)2(AlH4)2, Tc(dmpe)2(CO)2Cl, and Ni(dmpe)Cl2.2

Structure of trans-CoCl2(dmpe)2 (P is ochre, Co. is blue, Cl is green). source ↗

Synthesis

It is synthesised by the reaction of methylmagnesium iodide with 1,2-bis(dichlorophosphino)ethane:3

Cl2PCH2CH2PCl2 + 4 MeMgI → Me2PCH2CH2PMe2 + 4 MgICl

Alternatively it can be generated by alkylation of sodium dimethylphosphide.

The synthesis of dmpe from thiophosphoryl chloride has led to serious accidents and has been abandoned.4

References

References

  1. Sigma-Aldrich Co., 1,2-Bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane. Retrieved on 2013-07-20.
  2. Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. doi:10.1016/C2009-0-30414-6. ISBN 978-0-08-037941-8.
  3. R. J. Burt; J. Chatt; W. Hussain; G. J. Leigh (1979). "A convenient synthesis of 1,2-bis(dichlorophosphino)ethane, 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane and 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane". Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 182 (2): 203–6. doi:10.1016/S0022-328X(00)94383-3.
  4. Bercaw, J. E.; Parshall, G. W. (1985). "Preparation of Tetramethyldiphosphine Disulfide and Ethylenebis(Dimethylphosphine) (Dmpe)". Inorganic Syntheses. Vol. 23. pp. 199–200. doi:10.1002/9780470132548.ch42. ISBN 9780470132548.