Catalytic formation of borylamines from atmospheric N2 is achieved for the first time using a series of homogenous (triphosphine)Mo complexes. Stepwise functionalization of the (triphosphine)Mo-nitrido complex with chloroborane led to the synthesis of the imido complex. Electrochemical characterization of the (PPP)Mo-nitrido and (PPP)Mo-borylimido complexes showed that the latter is much more easily reduced.
Keywords: N2 reduction; boranes; molybdenum; nitride functionalization; tridentate phosphine ligands.
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