Stabilizing the E≡N triple bonds in pnictogen mononitrides
The viability of a main-group triple bond depends critically on the strength of its π-manifold. Among the 15 possible diatomic homo- and interpnictogens, EE′, (E, E′ = group 15 element), the NN linkage of dinitrogen stands out as one of the strongest triple bonds that exists, whereas the heavier pnictogens form thermodynamically unstable triple bond motifs that either decompose to single-bonded ol
