Molybdenum Complexes Supported by Mixed NHC/Phosphine Ligands: Activation of N₂ and Reaction With P(OMe)₃ to the First Meta‐Phosphite Complex

Molybdenum(0) dinitrogen complexes, supported by the mixed NHC/phosphine pincer ligand PCP, exhibit an extreme activation of the N2 ligand due to a very π-electron-rich metal center. The low thermal stability of these compounds can be increased using phosphites instead of phosphines as coligands. Through an amalgam reduction of [MoCl3(PCP)] in the presence of trimethyl phosphite and N2 the highly activated and room-temperature stable dinitrogen complex [Mo(N2)(PCP)(P(OMe)3)2] is obtained. As a second product, the first transition metal complex containing the meta-phosphite ligand P(O)(OMe) originates from this reaction.