A synthetic cycle for iminophosphorane synthesis involving direct intermolecular N=P bond formation on N2-derived molybdenum nitride

NP bonds were built straightforwardly between N-2-derived molybdenum terminal nitride and phosphines. Subsequent PCET, oxidative decarbonylation and then reduction regenerated the N-2 complex, developing a synthetic cycle transferring N-2 into various iminophosphoranes. Both aryl and alkyl substituted phosphines proceeded smoothly.