Methine (CH) transfer via a chlorine atom abstraction/benzene-elimination strategy: molybdenum methylidyne synthesis and elaboration to a phosphaisocyanide complex.

Methine (CH) transfer to an open coordination site was achieved in one pot by titanium(III) abstraction of Cl from 7-chloronorbornadiene, radical capture by Mo, and benzene extrusion. This efficient Mo methylidyne synthesis permitted elaboration to an anionic phosphaisocyanide derivative upon deprotonation, functionalization with dichlorophenylphosphine, and ultimate reduction.