Carbon-phosphorus triple bond formation through multiple bond metathesis of an anionic niobium phosphide with carbon dioxide

A novel borane-capped niobium phosphide anion ([B(C6F5)(3)-1]) has been prepared in 87% yield by reaction of [P Nb(N[Np]Ar)(3)](-) (1, Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2 and Np = neopentyl) with the Lewis acidic borane B(C6F5)(3). Room-temperature reaction of this adduct with carbon dioxide readily yields the OCP- ion 3, isolated as its sodium salt, [Na(dme)(2)][OCP] (dme = dimethoxyethane), in 70% yield, with concomitant formation of a borane-substituted niobium oxo complex [B(C6F5)(3)-2] (2 = ONb(N[Np]Ar)(3)). (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.