The equilibria and mechanism of addition of protons to the ethylenediphosphinetetraacetate anion (L4-) were studied in solution by the UV, IR, 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopic methods. A total of six protons can be bonded to the anion. They are added stepwise, first with partial formation of zwitterions containing P-H bonds, which then dissociate with formation of the free acid, H4L, where all four protons are bonded in carboxyl groups. The formation of zwitterions is strongly dependent on the concentration. In the final stage, the acid bonds two additional protons to form the bis-phosphonium cation, H6L2+. A number of isostructural salts containing this cation, H4L.2 HX (X = Cl, Br, I), have been prepared. The X-ray crystal structure determination of the bromide confirmed the expected arrangement. The bromide crystals are monoclinic, a = 578.2, b = 1 425.0, c = 1 046.7 pm, β = 103.07° with a space group of P21/c, Z = 2. The final R factor was 0.059 based on 1 109 observed reflections. The structure consists of H6L2+ cations containing protons bonded to phosphorus atoms (P-H distance 134 pm) and of bromide anions, located in gaps which are also sufficiently large for I- anions in the isostructural iodide. The interbonding of phosphonium cations proceeds through hydrogen bonds, C-OH...O=C, in which the O...O distance is 275.3 pm.
