Preparation of [NP(p-OC₆H₄Li)₂]₃ by Metal-Halogen Exchange, and its Reactions with Electrophiles

The reactions of cyclic and polymeric halophosphazenes with organolithium reagents have been studied extensively, ^1-3 but the reactions of organometallic reagents with cyclic and polymeric organo-functional phosphazenes have not been explored in detail. Of particular interest to us were reactions that could yield carbanionic species bound directly to phosphazene cyclic and polymeric compounds. Such reactive intermediates could be used to synthesize a wide range of new cyclic and high polymeric phosphazenes not accessible by other synthetic routes, including those that might form unusual ligands for transiten metals.