Commonly metal-imido complexes are generated from metal oxo complexes. They arise by condensation of amines and metal oxides and metal halides:
:LMO  +  HNR  →  LMNR  +  HO
This approach is illustrated by the conversion of MoOCl to the diimido derivative MoCl(NAr)(dimethoxyethane), precursors to the Schrock carbenes of the type Mo(OR)(NAr)(CH-t-Bu).
:LMCl + 3 HNR → LMNR + 2 RNHCl
Aryl isocyanates react with metal oxides concomitant with decarboxylation:
:LMO + O=C=NR → LMNR + CO