Synthesis and characterization of P 2 N 3 − : An aromatic ion composed of phosphorus and nitrogen

Abstract

An aromatic phosphorus and nitrogen ring In chemistry, the term “aromatic” denotes the energy stabilization associated with electrons being shared among atoms in a ring. Benzene is the best-known aromatic compound, although numerous related hydrocarbons also manifest the property. Velian and Cummins now report a rare instance of an inorganic aromatic compound: a negatively charged pentagonal ring composed of three nitrogen and two phosphorus atoms. Science , this issue p. 1001