Reaction of Methyllithium with Group 6 Phosphine Dinitrogen Complexes

International audienceThe reaction of MeLi with several group 6 phosphine end-on dinitrogen complexes of the general formula [ML4(N2)2] (M = Mo or W) is reported. Unlike the isoelectronic complex [CpMn(CO)2(N2)] on which RLi reagents have been reported to add to the N2 ligand, we show herein that MeLi attacks the metal centre to afford rare anionic trans methyl dinitrogen complexes