The isolation of catenated nitrogen compounds is difficult, in part because these chains can readily lose nitrogen, creating a strong thermodynamic push towards decomposition. Now, a series of molecules containing radical anions of four-atom nitrogen chains have been synthesized and studied under ambient conditions; the chain can cleave into N1 and N3 fragments, and can act as a source of nitrene radical anion.
- Reece Lister-Roberts
- Daniel Galano
- Meera Mehta