ABSTRACT
Metallophosphorus compounds may be divided into two broad classes: (1) those which contain phosphorus (P) and metal atoms (M) only; (2) those which contain phosphorus, metal and at least one other kind of atom E, where E is most commonly C, but can also be B, N, O, S or almost any other non-metal (p-block) atom. Most compounds in this latter class contain at least one E-P-M bridge. Members of class (1) (Sections 8.1 through 8.7) are usually known as metal phosphides, and most of those belonging to class (2) (Sections 8.8 through 8.20) as metallophosphorus complexes.
