Thermoneutral N−H Bond Activation of Ammonia by a Geometrically Constrained Phosphine

A geometrically constrained phosphine bearing a tridentate NNS pincer ligand is reported. The effect of the geometric constraint on electronic structure was probed by theoretical calculations and derivatization reactions. Reactions with N−H bonds result in formation cooperative addition products. thermochemistry these transformations strongly dependent substrate, ammonia activation being thermoneutral. This represents first example molecular compound that reversibly activates via bond scission solution upon mild heating.