Formation of Phosphine Imide (HN=PH3) and its Phosphinous Amide (H2N–PH2) Isomer.

Cheng Zhu, Alexandre Bergantini, Santosh K. Singh, Ralf I. Kaiser, André K. Eckhardt and  Peter R. Schreiner
Chem. Commun. 2021, 57, 4958–4961. DOI: 10.1039/D0CC08411E

We present the first formation of the previously elusive phosphine imide (HNPH₃) along with its phosphinous amide (H₂N–PH₂) isomer via exposure of phosphine (PH₃) and ammonia (NH₃) ices to ionizing radiation. Our approach may be extended to prepare, separate, and detect highly reactive compounds such as intermediates of Wittig reactions.