1,8-Bis(dimethylphosphino)naphthalene: an Unusual Case of Pseudosymmetry

The title compound, C₁₄H₁₈P₂, crystallizes in the rare tetragonal space group P4₂bc with two independent molecules, each of which displays crystallographic twofold symmetry. In both molecules the proximity of the PMe₂ groups leads to distortion, the main feature of which is the out-of-plane displacement of the P atom [by 0.378 (5), 0.297 (6) Å]. The structure displays a marked pseudosymmetry, with local inversion centres each relating four pairs of molecules.

-1