It is classified as a diphosphine ligand in coordination chemistry and homogeneous catalysis.

The diphosphine can be prepared by the reaction of lithium diphenylphosphide and 1,3-dichloropropane (Ph = C6H5): However, it can be synthesised via a much more controllable (and cheaper) route, via metal-halogen exchange and then metathesis: The diphosphine serves as a bidentate ligand forming six-membered C3P2M chelate ring with a natural bite angle of 91°.

This nickel complex serves as a catalyst for the Kumada coupling reaction.

[2] Dppp is also used as a ligand for palladium(II) catalysts to co-polymerize carbon monoxide and ethylene to give polyketones.

[3] Dppp can sometimes be used in palladium-catalyzed arylation under Heck reaction conditions to control regioselectivity.