Samantha’s publication on the “Activation of the C-N Single Bond in Iso(thio)cyanates by a Phosphinine-Borane Lewis Pair: Unravelling a Complex Reaction Network” is now published in ChemistryEurope. We report on the first example of a C-N σ-bond activation in tert-butyl isocyanate and isothiocyanate by a 3,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-phosphinine-B(C₆F₅)₃ Lewis pair.  This work suggests a direct pathway for the selective P-functionalization of phosphinines, opening up avenues for the targeted synthesis of such otherwise inaccessible aromatic phosphorus heterocycles.

Thanks a lot to our cooperation partners at Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem University in Budapest!

DOI: 10.1002/ceur.202500280