Base‐Stabilized Phosphinidene Oxide, Imide and Sulfide

Phosphinidene conducts an auction for the best P=X bond: Cyclic phosphinoamidinate-supported phosphinidene (NP)P is a natural precursor to base-stabilized PIII compounds (NP)P=X (X=O, NR, S). Interestingly, for the stronger P=O and P=N bonds, the respective compounds (NP)P=O and (NP)P=NTol are labile and cannot be isolated, but can be intercepted by isocyanate TolNCO to give the urea compound (NP)P-(NTol)2CO. In contrast, the sulfide (NP)P=S, prepared by a reaction of (NP)P with sulfur, is isolable. More information can be found in the Research Article by S. F. Vyboishchikov, G. I. Nikonov and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/chem.202301842).