1,2-bis(phenylphosphoryl)ethane

The geometric parameters of the molecule of the title compound, C14H16O2P2, are in the usual ranges. It is a meso compound with the two chiral P atoms having opposite configurations. The P-CH2-CH2-P chain adopts a trans conformation [torsion angle -178.59(17)degrees]. The P = O bonds are almost coplanar with the adjacent phenyl ring [ torsion angles = 3.8 (3) and 0.3 (3)degrees]. Whereas one of them is synclinal [torsion angle = -59.0(2)degrees] to the central C-C bond, the other is anticlinal [torsion angle = 56.6 (2)degrees] to the central C-C bond. The dihedral angle between the two phenyl rings is 5.2 (3)degrees. The molecules are linked by weak C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds. They crystallize in rows running along the c axis.