Isolation and reactivity of an elusive diazoalkene

Most functional groups, especially those consisting of the abundant elements of organic matter-carbon, nitrogen and oxygen-have been extensively studied and only very few remain speculative due to their high intrinsic reactivity. In contrast to the well-explored chemistry of diazoalkanes (R₂C=N₂), diazoalkenes (R₂C=C=N₂) have been postulated in several organic transformations, but remain elusive long-sought intermediates. Here, we present a room-temperature stable diazoalkene, utilizing a dinitrogen transfer from nitrous oxide. This functional group shows dual-site nucleophilicity (C and N atoms) and features a bent C-C-N entity (124°) and a long N-N bond together with a remarkable low infrared absorption (1,944 cm^-1). Substitution of N₂ by an isocyanide leads to a vinylidene ketenimine. Furthermore, photochemically triggered loss of dinitrogen might proceed through a transient triplet vinylidene. We anticipate the existence of a stable diazoalkene functional group to pave an exciting avenue into the chemistry of low-valent carbon and unsaturated carbenes.