The synthesis, reactivity and properties of organic cyclic oligophosphanes have been intensively studied; however, the number of metal complexes of their related anionic species described in the literature is still small. This article reviews the different synthetic methods for the preparation of metal complexes of cyclic oligophosphanide monoanions, such as cyclo-(P_nR_n−1)⁻ (n = 3–5) (with special attention to the cyclo-(P₅^tBu₄)⁻ ion), which may be suitable precursors for phosphorus-rich binary metal phosphides (M_xP_y, with y > x).