We present the unprecedented <i>η</i>3-coordination of the 2-phosphaethynthiolate anion in the complex (PN)<sub>2</sub>La(SCP) (<b>2</b>) [PN = N-(2-(diisopropylphosphanyl)-4-methylphenyl)-2,4,6-trimethylanilide)]. Structural comparison with dinuclear thiocyanate bridged (PN)<sub>2</sub>La(<i>μ</i>-1,3-SCN)<sub>2</sub>La(PN)<sub>2</sub> (<b>3</b>) and azide bridged (PN)<sub>2</sub>La(<i>μ</i>-1,3-N3)<sub>2</sub>La(PN)<sub>2</sub> (<b>4</b>) complexes indicates that the [SCP]<sup>–</sup> coordination mode is mainly governed by electronic, rather than steric factors. Quantum mechanical investigations reveal large contributions of the antibonding π-orbital of the [SCP]<sup>–</sup> ligand to the LUMO of complex <b>2</b>, rendering it the ideal precursor for the first functionalization of the [SCP]<sup>–</sup> anion. Complex <b>2</b> was therefore reacted with CAACs which induced a selective rearrangement of the [SCP]<sup>–</sup> ligand to form the first CAAC stabilized group 15 – group 16 fulminate-type complexes (PN)<sub>2</sub>La{SPC(<sup>R</sup>CAAC)} (<b>5a,b</b>) (R = Ad, Me). A detailed reaction mechanism for the SCP to SPC isomerization is proposed based on DFT calculations.
Unprecedented η3-Coordination and Functionalization of the 2-Phosphaethynthiolate Anion at Lanthanum(III)