Orthogonality in main group compounds: a direct one-step synthesis of air- and moisture-stable cyclophosphazanes by mechanochemistry

Mechanochemistry has been established to be an environmentally-friendly way of conducting reactions in a solvent-free manner. The development of mechanochemical orthogonal reactions, in which multiple reagents are milled together, can be a powerful strategy to selectively yield the desired product. Such orthogonal syntheses are rare, especially those involving main group frameworks – based on bonds other than carbon – which are yet to be reported. Herein, we demonstrate the direct formation of air- and moisture-stable cyclophosph(V)azanes enabled by an orthogonal “one-step one-pot” mechanochemical reaction. In addition, detailed hydrolytic- and air-stability studies, conducted over one and 12 months, respectively, revealed high robustness of these compounds.