Exchange reactions between O-nitrosobis(trifluoromethyl)hydroxylamine and M(CF3)3 (M = P,As and Sb)

O-Nitrosobis(trifluoromethyl)hydroxylamine gives novel reactions with tris(trifluoromethyl)-phosphine, -arsine and -stibine to affford mainly the corresponding bis(trifluoromethyl)nitroxol derivatives. Tris(trifluoromethyl) phosphine affords (CF₃)₂NOP(O)(CF₃)₂ and (CF₃)₂NNO. Tris(trifluoromethyl) arsine also gives (CF₃)₂NNO in high yield, together with smaller amounts of (CF₃)₂NOAs(CF₃)₂, CF₃NCF₂, COF₂ and a polymeric white solid. With tris(trifluoromethyl)stibine, no oxidation nor addition reactions occurred. Instead, (CF₃)₂NO]₃Sb and (CF₃)NO]₂SbCF₃ were obtained in high yields. The stoichiometry of the reactions suggests that the additional amounts of bis(trifluoromethyl)nitroxyl groups bonded to antimony are derived from the trifluoromethyl groups bonded to antimony. Mechanisms to rationalise these reactions are proposed.