A synthetic cycle for iminophosphorane synthesis involving direct intermolecular NP bond formation on N 2 -derived molybdenum nitride.

NP 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.