The ligand [3‐(diphenylphosphino)propyl]‐hepta[propyl]‐[octasilsesquioxane] (dpps) can be prepared by reacting [3‐chloropropyl]‐hepta[propyl]‐[octasilsesquioxane] (cs) with KP(Ph)2. The transition‐metal complexes [Rh(CO)(dpps)2Cl], [Rh(COD)(dpps)Cl] and [Pt(dpps)2Cl2] are synthesized as models of functionalized silica‐gel surfaces. Without destruction of the siloxane cage, the intermediate compounds Hg(ss)2, and Pb(ss)2 are obtained from [3‐mercaptopropyl]‐hepta[propyl]‐[octasilsesquioxane] (ssH). Starting from Pb(ss)2, the transition‐metal complexes [Au(ss)(P(Ph)3)], [Rh(ss)(CO)2]2 and [Rh(ss)(COD)]2 are accessible. The compounds have been characterized mostly by 1H, 13C, 29Si and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.