Selective formation of bimetallic group 10 complexes using the C s symmetric, bicyclic diphosphane P 2 C 12 H 20 is reported herein. With its eclipsed lone pairs disposed at a relative angle of ca. 45 , the diphosphane framework is ideally suited to form multiple bridges between two metal centers. The complexes contain {M 2 P 6 } cages with three diphosphane bridges and a pair of trans-axial ligands such as EPh 3 (E ¼ P, As, Sb) or h 1 -P 2 C 12 H 20 . X-Ray crystallography experiments revealed that the cages have a pseudo-D 3h symmetry, with metal-metal distances in the 3.9-4.1A range. The complexes were isolated in 48-91% yield as crystalline, bright yellow or orange powders. Substitution of the axial ligands with the {M 2 P 6 } cages remaining intact was also observed. Chart 1 Examples of known, free or W(CO) 5 -bound bicyclic and tetracyclic diphosphanes. 1,2Chart 2 Examples of diphosphanes which form two bridges in bimetallic systems with their M-P-P-M dihedral angles listed in parentheses.