Photooxidation of coordinated dinitrogen. Photolysis of the ClO2 adduct of [(NH3)5Os(μ-N2)Os(NH3)5]5 +

The complex [(NH3)5OsII(μ-N2)OsIII(NH3)5]5 + forms an adduct with ClO2 which is photoactive. It is suggested that OSCT excitation is responsible for product formation. [(NH3)5OsII(μ-N2)OsIII(NH3)5]5 + + ClIVO2 —→ 2[OsII(NH3)5(N+ IIIO)3 +] + Cl−. This reaction seems to be a unique example of oxidative splitting of a N2 ligand.