Reactivity of electrophilic micro-phosphinidene complexes with N-heterocyclic carbenes: formation of the first main group element adducts of 'abnormal' carbene ligands.

The reactions of Mn2- and Co2-containing micro-PNiPr2 complexes with NCN carbenes afford the 'abnormal' carbene adducts [Mn2(CO)8{mu-P(NiPr2)}(4-cyclo-C3H2-1,3-(NR)2))] and [Co2(CO)4(mu-dppm){mu-P(NiPr2)(4-cyclo-C3H2-1,3-(NR)2)}] (R = tBu, adamantyl), respectively.