Our recently synthesised phosphorus dication is observed to activate water (and methanol) under reactions conditions atypical for other systems containing a non-metal centre. This particular activation described as oxidative addition is quite rare and has been reserved exclusively for a couple of metal-based compounds. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Rakesh Ganguly

SNU Management

M.Q.Y. Tay

Y. Lu

D. Vidovic̈

<p>Shiv Nadar University is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, research-focused, and student-centric University offering a full range of academic programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, the University comprises of academic wings, sophisticated labs, international standard sports facilities, amphitheaters, auditorium, conference rooms and smart classrooms. The University&rsquo;s goal is to become internationally recognized for the quality of its research and creative endeavors and their applicability to improving quality of life, generating new insights and expanding the boundaries of human knowledge creativity. Committed to excellence in teaching, research and service, the University aims to serve the higher education needs of India and the world beyond.</p>