Coordination Chemistry of Phosphinidene Stabilized by Mesoionic N‐heterocyclic Carbene and Catalysis

Abnormal N‐heterocyclic carbene‐stabilized phosphinidene, a class of low‐valent phosphorus compounds, has been recently stabilized by an isolated abnormal NHC. However, its coordination chemistry with various metal ions remained unexplored. Herein, we have explored the coordination chemistry of a mesoionic N‐heterocyclic phosphinidene (mNHP, 1 ), stabilized by an abnormal N‐heterocyclic carbene (aNHC) with various metals (Cu, Zn, and Sn) to afford trimetallic, bimetallic, and monometallic complexes, respectively. All these complexes were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. We have also explored the catalytic activity of one of these complexes for alkynylation of trifluoromethyl ketones and found that mNHP ( 1 )‐bound trimetallic Cu‐complex is an excellent catalyst for this reaction with up to 97% isolated yield under low catalyst loading (3 mol%).