The race for the first generation of the pentazolate anion in solution is far from over

摘要

The previous claim for the first generation of the pentazolate anion in solution was carefully reexamined;no evidence for the formation of cyclo-N_5~- was found under the reported conditions.The successful synthesis' of N_5AsFg in 1999 has stimulated worldwide interest in the preparation of new homonuclear polynitrogen species.One of the most promising polynitrogen candidates is the pentazolate anion,cyclo-N_5~-.Theoretical calculations predict it to be vibrationally stable,and potential starting materials,e.g.,arylpentazoles,have been known for over 50 years.