2-Electron reduction of N2O yields a new ligand binding mode: N-Nitrosoimide

A new mode of bonding of the traditionally weak ligand N2O to highly reducing transition metal complexes is described based on DFT calculations for a variety of late transition metals. These η1-NNO can be singly bent (at the central nitrogen) or doubly bent (at both N), and thus involve a triple or double M/N bond, respectively. The ligand is therefore properly termed an N-nitrosoimide, N2O2−.

Graphical abstractHighly reducing transition metals reduce N2O to singly bent (at the central nitrogen) or doubly bent (at both N) forms when coordinated; the ligand is therefore properly termed an N-nitrosoimide, N2O2−.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide