Phospha-alkynes: new building blocks in organic, inorganic, and organometallic chemistry

Phospha-alkynes, RC[unkeyable]P, are compounds that contain a triple bond between the carbon and phosphorus atoms. They were once thought, on theoretical grounds, to be incapable of existence but over the past decade they have been shown to have a quite remarkable versatility as chemical building blocks. This article reviews their impact on organic, inorganic, and organometallic chemistry and in cluster formation.