Direct Synthesis of Silylamine from N2 and a Silane: Mediated by a Tridentate Phosphine Molybdenum Fragment

A homogeneous system which is able to yield silylamine from N2 and bis(silane) in one pot is reported. Mechanistically a {(triphosphine)molybdenum(I)} fragment, generated in situ, splits N2 into the corresponding nitrido complex at room temperature. Then, functionalization of the molybdenum nitrido is achieved by double Si-H addition under mild reaction conditions. Moreover, the bis(silyl)amine product is decoordinated from the metal center.