Unleashing phosphorus mononitride
The interstellar diatomic molecule, phosphorus mononitride (P≡N), is highly unstable under conditions typical on Earth, and its utility for constructing elusive P–N π-bonded motifs has remained uncertain. Here, we show how Na(OCP) transfers a P atom to an electrophilic osmium nitride complex to form a metal-bound P≡N ligand. Quantum chemical calculations and X-ray absorption spectroscopy unveil a
