E-H Bond Activation of Ammonia and Water by a Geometrically Constrained Phosphorus(III) Compound

The synthesis of a phosphorus(III) compound bearing a N,N‐bis(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐phenoxy)amide ligand is reported. This species has been found to react with ammonia and water, activating the EH bonds in both substrates by formal oxidative addition to afford the corresponding phosphorus(V) compounds. In the case of water, both OH bonds can be activated, splitting the molecule into its constituent elements. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a compound based on main group elements that sequentially activates water in this manner. Divide and conquer: A phosphorus(III) compound bearing a tridentate N,N‐bis(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐phenoxy)amide ligand is reported. This species has been found to react with ammonia and water activating the EH bonds (E=N and O, respectively) in both substrates to afford the corresponding phosphorus(V) compounds. In the case of water, both OH bonds can be activated.