Carbene-Stabilized Phosphorus(III)-Centered Cations [LPX2]+ and [L2PX]2+ (L = NHC; X = CI, CN, N3)

A versatile, high-yield ng synthesis of NHC-stabilized [PCI2](+) and [PCI](2+) phosphorus synthons has been achieved by using an onio-substituent transfer reagent. Subsequent functionalization yields access to cationic cyano- aid azido-substituted derivatives which represent first examples of a displacement read:ion on NHC-stabilized phosphorus(III)-centered cations. The new salts have been fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.