Tuning the potential of redox-active diphosphine ligands based on the alkyne complexes [Tp*W(CO)L{η2-C2(PPh2)2}]

Variation of a single ligand in the W(ii) alkyne complexes of bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene leads to W(ii)/W(iii) redox potentials spanning a window of 850 mV. The corresponding dinuclear complexes with PdCl2 show differing catalytic activity.