Activation of CO2 and SO2 by Boryl(phosphino)carbenes

The stable boryl(phosphino)carbene 1 can cleave small organic dioxide molecules. With CO2 and SO2, 1 gives, respectively, the phosphacumulene ylide [Mes(i Pr2N)B‐O‐P(CCO)(Ni Pr2)Mes] (see scheme and structure) and boryl(phosphoryl)sulfine [Mes(i Pr2N)B‐C(SO)‐P(O)(Ni Pr2)Mes] which have been structurally and spectroscopically characterized.