Abstract
Neutral species R3PX2 in equilibria with halogenophosphonium halides R3PX+X− do not always contain hypervalent phosphorus (10-P-5)! Iodophosphonium ions R3PI+ show R3P-I… X interaction in many cases, leading to hypervalent iodine (10-I-2). Evidence for secondary IX bonds is provided by n.m.r. spectra and X-ray crystal structure determinations.