Stepwise hydrogenation of an arylthiophosphinidene isocyanide complex to give tethered aldimine and aminocarbene functions

Abstract

The sequential addition of H⁺ and H⁻ ions to [Mo₂Cp₂(μ–κ²_P,S:κ¹_P,η⁴-SPMes*)(CN^tBu)(CO)₂] (Mes* = 2,4,6-C₆H₂^tBu₃) completes a hydrocarbation or hydronitration of the uncoordinated CC bond of the Mes* ring, yielding new ligands with thiophosphinidene and aldimine or aminocarbene functions tethered to a η⁴-cyclohexadiene ring. The H⁻ ion first attacks a Cp group to give a cyclopentadiene complex which evolves via a hydride intermediate.