The synthesis and characterization of a 2,4-diimino-3-phosphinopentene anion (gamma-phosphino-beta-diketiminate) is reported and enables diversification of the beta-diketiminate ligand framework, which has been widely employed across the periodic table. Phosphines are observed to adopt the gamma-position of the ligand rather than the N,N' chelate. While aluminum and lithium adopt the familiar N,N' chelate arrangement with the new 2,4-diimino-3-phosphinopentene anion ligand, reactions with AsCl3 or SbCl3 result in substitution at the beta-methyl position on the ligand backbone, realizing novel P-->E (E = As or Sb) intramolecular coordination. The chemistry of the 2,4-diimino-3-phosphinopentene anion can be monitored by the P-31 NMR chemical shifts, which are distinctively diagnostic of the coordinative engagement of the ligand.