An improved procedure for the synthesis of (N-isocyanimino)-triphenylphosphorane, CϵN-N=PPh 3 (3), is described. The X-ray structure analysis reveals an unusually small N-N=P angle [115.2(2)°] and an N-N bond order of only about 1.5, which indicates considerable CϵN-N --P + participation and electronically more-isolated functional groups (CN, P=N) in the isocyanide than, for example, in the isomeric NϵC-N=PPh 3 (4) [C-N=P = 123.0(4)°, C-N bond order = 2.0]. In order to gain insight into the stereochemical consequences of metal coordination of 3, an X-ray structural study of [Cr-(CO) 5 CϵN-N=PPh 3 ] (5) was also undertaken. Surprisingly, the central bond lengths (C-N, N-N) and angles (C-N-N) remain practically unchanged with noticeable coordination effects occurring only at the periphery of 5, with the N-N-P angle [112.3(2)°] further decreased by 15σ, the elongated (by 7σ) P-N bond, the somewhat shortened (by 4σ) P-C(Ph) bonds and even shorter C-H(Ph) bonds on the one side, and the well-known Cr-C(O) trans contraction on the other. Treatment of 5 or its tungsten derivative with anhydrous Brønstedt and Lewis acids such as CF 3 COOH, HCl, COS, phosgene or,