Triply coordinated trivalent nitrogen atoms are known to lose most or all of their Lewis donor capacity when bonded to a third or higher row element. It is shown here, in the case of P-bonded nitrogen atoms, that structural constraints which maintain the nitrogen atom in a pyramidal configuration can contribute much in preserving their basicity and/or nucleophilic character. In particular, nitrogen atoms apically bonded to 5-coordinated formally penta-or trivalent phosphorus atoms can display definite basicity. Examples of metal-and base-induced opening and closing of P-N bonds are also presented. The following unusual coordination modes and/or reaction issues are exemplified:where A can be-depending on the case-H+,CH~,BH,,BF, or a transition metal moiety, as for example CpMo(CO),CI or CpMo(CO),, etc. The factors that affect the rather variable P-N bond length are discussed.