Two novel rhenium(I) phosphinine complexes [Re(CO)3Cl(η1-C5H4ClP)2] (1) and [Re(CO)2Cl(η1-C5H4ClP)3] (2) were synthesized and the molecular structure of both was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In compound 1 the two coordinated phosphinine ligands are arranged in a cis position, whereas compound 2 with three phosphinine ligands crystallizes in a meridional structural motif. Density functional theory investigations were executed to examine the relative stabilities of both complexes 1 and 2.
![Graphical abstract: [Re(CO)3Cl(C5H4ClP)2] and [Re(CO)2Cl(C5H4ClP)3]: synthesis and characterization of two novel rhenium(i) phosphinine complexes](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/C5RA25904E.jpg)
