Three-coordinate molybdenum(III) complexes comprise a new class of reactive-yet-isolable substances. Related to a well known class of metal–metal triple bonded dimers, the monomeric molybdenum(III) complexes supported by sterically-demanding N-tert-alkylanilide ligands offer previously unavailable synthetic routes to molybdenum–element multiple bonds. Terminal nitride, phosphide and carbide functionalities have been prepared from reactions with dinitrogen, white phosphorus and carbon monoxide, respectively.