Transformations between Monomeric, Dimeric, and Trimeric Phosphazanes:  Oligomerizing NP Analogues of Olefins

Abstract

Isolation and characterization of a crystal mixture of iminophosphine 1 and diphosphazane 2 (R = Mes*, X = OTf) is enabled by the steric interactions between bulky substituents implicating monomer/dimer 1/2 equilibria and the conclusion is supported by the observation of a ring-expansion reaction to give a triphosphazane 3 (R = Dipp, X = Cl).