Planar P 6 E 6 (E = Se, S) macrocycles incorporating P 2 N 2 scaffolds

Oxidation of alkali metal derivatives of the dianions [E((t)BuN)P(μ-N(t)Bu)(2)P(N(t)Bu)E](2-) (E = S, Se) with I(2) produces 15-membered macrocycles in which a planar P(6)E(6) motif is stabilised by perpendicular P(2)N(2) scaffolds.