Triple hydrogen atom abstraction from Mn-NH3 complexes results in cyclophosphazenium cations.

All hydrogen atoms of the NH3 in [Mn(depe)2(CO)(NH3)]+ are abstracted by 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenoxyl radical, resulting in the isolation of a rare cyclophosphazenium cation, [(Et2P(CH2)2PEt2)N]+, in 76% yield. An analogous reaction is observed for [Mn(dppe)2(CO)(NH3)]+. Computations suggest insertion of NHx into a Mn-P bond provides the thermodynamic driving force. Contextualization of this reaction provides insights on catalyst design and breaking strong N-H bonds.