A Terminal Osmium(IV) Nitride: Ammonia Formation and Ambiphilic Reactivity

Low‐valent osmium nitrides are discussed as intermediates in nitrogen fixation schemes. However, rational synthetic routes that lead to isolable examples are currently unknown. Here, the synthesis of the square‐planar osmium(IV) nitride [OsN(PNP)] (PNP=N(CH₂CH₂P(tBu)₂)₂) is reported upon reversible deprotonation of osmium(VI) hydride [Os(N)H(PNP)]⁺. The Os^IV complex shows ambiphilic nitride reactivity with SiMe₃Br and PMe₃, respectively. Importantly, the hydrogenolysis with H₂ gives ammonia and the polyhydride complex [OsH₄(HPNP)] in 80 % yield. Hence, our results directly demonstrate the role of low‐valent osmium nitrides and of heterolytic H₂ activation for ammonia synthesis with H₂ under basic conditions.