The interaction of N,N′-bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene with o-benzosemiquinonato zinc(ii) and indium(iii) complexes

Abstract

The N-heterocyclic carbene N,N′-bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (NHC) interacts with non-transition metal complexes bearing redox-active o-benzosemiquinonato ligands in two ways: as a neutral donor or as a reducer. The reaction of NHC with (3,6-SQ)2Zn·Et2O gives the carbene adduct (3,6-SQ)2Zn·{CN(Me2Ph)(CH)2N(Me2Ph)} (1) while reaction with (3,6-SQ)3In forms the ionic complex [(3,6-SQ)2(3,6-Cat)In]− {HCN(Me2Ph)(CH)2N(Me2Ph)}+ (2) as the main product.