Carbene Adducts Research Articles

C-H Insertion from Isolable Copper Benzylidenes.

Despite the utility of copper catalysts for the insertion of carbene moieties into C-H bonds, the copper carbene intermediate often invoked in these transformations has not been isolated. Herein, we describe the synthesis and structural characterization of a series of copper benzylidenes utilizing the sterically encumbered dipyrrin ligand (EmL)H. These isolated copper carbenes demonstrate intramolecular insertion into the primary C(sp3)-H bond of the ligand (EmL)H and intermolecular insertion into ethereal and allylic C-H bonds. The copper carbenes isolated are best described as Cu(I) carbene adducts akin to canonical Fischer carbenes, given their diamagnetic ground state and electrophilic carbene reactivity. Furthermore, the insertion chemistry can be rendered catalytic utilizing a more sterically exposed dipyrrin ligand (ArFL)H. The ability to isolate and observe stoichiometric C-H insertion and olefin cyclopropanation from well-characterized copper benzylidenes illuminates their viability as catalytic intermediates and their participation in potential catalyst deactivation pathways.

Mono-Ortho-Beryllated Carbodiphosphoranes: Synthesis, Structure, Bonding and Reactivity.

The reaction of organoberyllium compounds with hexaphenylcarbodiphosphorane yields mono-ortho-beryllated complexes, which feature a double dative Be=C bond. The bonding situation in these compounds together with a simple carbodiphosphorane and an N-heterocyclic carbene adduct was analysed with energy decomposition analysis in combination with natural orbital for chemical valence as well as with quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules. Furthermore, the driving forces accountable for mono-ortho-beryllation were elucidated along with the reactivity of the Be=C bond.

NHC-Stabilized Mixed Group 13/14/15 Element Hydrides.

The syntheses of novel N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) adducts of group 13, 14 and 15 element hydrides are reported. Salt metathesis reactions between NaPH2 and IDipp ⋅ GeH2 BH2 OTf (1) (IDipp=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) led to mixtures of the two isomers IDipp ⋅ GeH2 BH2 PH2 (2 a) and IDipp ⋅ BH2 GeH2 PH2 (2 b); by altering the reaction conditions an almost exclusive formation of 2 b was achieved. Attempts to purify mixtures of 2 a and 2 b by re-crystallization from THF afforded a salt [IDipp ⋅ GeH2 BH2 ⋅ IDipp][PHGeH2 BH2 PH2 BH2 GeH2 ] (4) that contains the novel anionic cyclohexyl-like inorganic heterocycle [PHGeH2 BH2 PH2 BH2 GeH2 ]- . In addition, the borane adducts IDipp ⋅ GeH2 BH2 PH2 BH3 (3 a) and IDipp ⋅ BH2 GeH2 PH2 BH3 (3 b) as even longer chain compounds were obtained from reactions of 2 a/2 b with H3 B ⋅ SMe2 and were studied by NMR spectroscopy. Accompanying DFT computations give insight into the mechanism and energetics associated with 2 a/2 b isomerization as well as their decomposition pathways.

Mechanistic manifold in a hemoprotein-catalyzed cyclopropanation reaction with diazoketone

Hemoproteins have recently emerged as promising biocatalysts for new-to-nature carbene transfer reactions. However, mechanistic understanding of the interplay between productive and unproductive pathways in these processes is limited. Using spectroscopic, structural, and computational methods, we investigate the mechanism of a myoglobin-catalyzed cyclopropanation reaction with diazoketones. These studies shed light on the nature and kinetics of key catalytic steps in this reaction, including the formation of an early heme-bound diazo complex intermediate, the rate-determining nature of carbene formation, and the cyclopropanation mechanism. Our analyses further reveal the existence of a complex mechanistic manifold for this reaction that includes a competing pathway resulting in the formation of an N-bound carbene adduct of the heme cofactor, which was isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography, UV-Vis, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. This species can regenerate the active biocatalyst, constituting a non-productive, yet non-destructive detour from the main catalytic cycle. These findings offer a valuable framework for both mechanistic analysis and design of hemoprotein-catalyzed carbene transfer reactions.

Biological potential of vinyl/allyl substituted imidazole-based N-heterocyclic carbene adducts: synthesis, spectral and X-ray crystallographic structural characteristics

Biological potential of vinyl/allyl substituted imidazole-based N-heterocyclic carbene adducts: synthesis, spectral and X-ray crystallographic structural characteristics

A Guanidine-Supported π-Complex of Germanium Amenable to Intramolecular C-C Cleavage in Arene and Ge Atom Transfer.

The germylone dimNHCGe (dimNHC = diimino N-heterocyclic carbene) reacts with azides N3R (R = SiMe3 or p-tolyl) to furnish the first examples of germanium π-complexes, i.e. guanidine-ligated compounds (dimNHI-SiMe3)Ge (NHI= N-heterocyclic imine, R= SiMe3) and (dimNHI-Tol)Ge (R= p-tolyl). DFT calculations suggest that these species are formed by a Staudinger type replacement of dinitrogen in the azide by a nucleophilic germylone, leading to a transient carbene adduct of iminogermylidene. Heating a solution of compound (dimNHI-SiMe3)Ge to 70 °C results in extrusion of the iminogermylidene that further aggregates to produce the known [Me3SiNGe]4 tetramer, whereas the imidazolylidene fragment transforms into an unusual heptatriene species that can be considered as a product of carbene insertion into the C-C bond of a pendant Ar substituent at the imidazolylidene nitrogen of the dimNHC. Reaction of (dimNHI-SiMe3)Ge with tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone results in the net transfer of a germanium atom and formation of the free diimino-guanidine ligand. This ligand also forms when (dimNHI-SiMe3)Ge is treated with azide N3(p-Tol), with the germanium product being [(p-Tol)NGe]n.

Photoredox Catalysis-Enabled Sulfination of Alcohols and Bromides.

Sulfinates are important lynchpin intermediates in pharmaceutical production; however, their synthesis via photoredox catalysis is challenging because of their facile oxidation. We herein disclose a photocatalytic strategy for the direct conversion of alcohols and alkyl bromides into alkyl sulfinates. These transformations are enabled by the utilization of easily oxidized radical precursors─namely, alcohol N-heterocyclic carbene adducts and N-adamantyl aminosupersilane─that facilitate efficient synthesis of the oxidatively labile sulfinate products. A broad range of functional groups are amenable to the reported transformations, providing rapid access to sulfonamides, sulfonyl halides, sulfones, and sulfonic acids. The utility of these methods is further demonstrated via the late-stage diversification of natural products and drugs into pharmaceutically relevant sulfonamides and "clickable" sulfonyl fluorides. In summary, this work illustrates the potential of novel radical precursors to expand the breadth of photoredox transformations.

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Arsinidenide Iridium Complexes

AbstractHalf‐sandwich iridium complexes of the type [(η5‐C5Me5){(NHC)E}IrCl] (E=P, As) were prepared by the reactions of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) adducts of trimethylsilylphosphinidene and trimethylsilylarsinidene, (IDipp)ESiMe3 and (IMes)ESiMe3, with [(η5‐C5Me5)IrCl2]2 (IDipp=bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene; IMes=1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene). The molecular structure of [(η5‐C5Me5){(IDipp)As}IrCl] was established by X‐ray diffraction analysis, affording the first structurally authenticated NHC‐arsinidenide complex with a short Ir−As bond length that reveals a significant degree of metal‐arsenic π‐interaction as also confirmed by theoretical calculations.

Cytotoxic, Thrombolytic and Antibacterial Evaluation of Synthesized Substituted and Un-Substituted Selenium-N-Heterocyclic Carbene Adducts

Alkyl-substituted azolium salts (1-8) and their Se-N-heterocyclic carbene (Se-N-Het-C) adducts (9-12) were obtained in very reasonable yields. All synthesized azolium salts and their Se-N-Het-C adducts were characterized by different spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and elemental analysis. It was found that all synthesized Se-N-Het-C adducts were stable at room temperature in both air and moisture. In-vitro these compounds (5-12) were assessed for their antimicrobial potential against Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), Macrococcus brunensis (M. brunensis), and Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) in vitro. Results of MIC and inhibition zone values revealed that the majority of the Selenium N-Heterocyclic carbene adducts were active against Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) than Macrococcus brunensis (M. brunensis) and Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) whereas opposite in the azolium salts (5-8). Compounds 5-8 have an inhibition zone of 16and#177;0.1-26and#177;0.3mm against all tested bacterial strains while selenium-NHC adducts 9-12 have a zone of inhibition (16and#177;0.2 to 25 and#177; 0.4mm). Adduct 12 showed good activity against all tested strains with ZI values 25 and#177; 0.1, 22and#177; 0.5, 17 and#177; 0.3 mm and MIC values 17 and#177; 0.2, 16 and#177; 0.4 and 18 and#177; 0.3 and#181;g/mL against Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), Macrococcus brunensis (M. brunensis) and Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) respectively. Adduct 10 showed the highest thrombolysis i-e 86.9% and adduct 12 showed good hemolysis i-e 0.51%. Overall results of thrombolysis and cytotoxicity studies revealed that the compounds are safe for preclinical studies of mouse blood in vitro.

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Assisted Reversible Migratory Coupling of Aminoborane at Magnesium

A combined synthetic and theoretical investigation of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) adducts of magnesium amidoboranes is presented, which involves a rare example of reversible migratory insertion within a normal valent s-block element. The reaction of (NHC)Mg(N(SiMe3 )2 )2 (1) and dimethylamine borane yields the tris(amide) adduct (NHC-BN)Mg(NMe2 BH3 )(N(SiMe3 )2 ) (2; NHC-BN = NHC-BH2 NMe2 ). In addition to Me2 N=BH2 capture at the NHC C-Mg bond, mechanistic investigations suggest the likelihood of aminoborane migratory insertion from an RMg(NMe2 BH2 NMe2 BH3 ) intermediate. To elucidate these processes, the carbene complexes (NHC)Mg(NMe2 BH3 )2 (8) and (NHC)Mg(NMe2 BH2 NMe2 BH3 )2 (9) were synthesized, and a dynamic migration of Me2 N=BH2 between Mg-N and NHC C-Mg bonds was observed in 9. This unusual reversible migratory insertion is presumably induced by dissimilar charge localization in the - {NMe2 BH2 NMe2 BH3 } anion, as well as the capacity of NHCs to reversibly capture Me2 N=BH2 in the presence of Lewis acidic magnesium species.

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Assisted Reversible Migratory Coupling of Aminoborane at Magnesium

AbstractA combined synthetic and theoretical investigation of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) adducts of magnesium amidoboranes is presented, which involves a rare example of reversible migratory insertion within a normal valent s‐block element. The reaction of (NHC)Mg(N(SiMe3)2)2 (1) and dimethylamine borane yields the tris(amide) adduct (NHC−BN)Mg(NMe2BH3)(N(SiMe3)2) (2; NHC−BN = NHC−BH2NMe2). In addition to Me2N=BH2 capture at the NHCC−Mg bond, mechanistic investigations suggest the likelihood of aminoborane migratory insertion from an RMg(NMe2BH2NMe2BH3) intermediate. To elucidate these processes, the carbene complexes (NHC)Mg(NMe2BH3)2 (8) and (NHC)Mg(NMe2BH2NMe2BH3)2 (9) were synthesized, and a dynamic migration of Me2N=BH2 between Mg−N and NHCC−Mg bonds was observed in 9. This unusual reversible migratory insertion is presumably induced by dissimilar charge localization in the −{NMe2BH2NMe2BH3} anion, as well as the capacity of NHCs to reversibly capture Me2N=BH2 in the presence of Lewis acidic magnesium species.

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene and Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbene Adducts of Germanium(IV) and Tin(IV) Chlorides and Organyl Chlorides

AbstractA study on the reactivity of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and the cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene cAACMe with selected germanium(IV) and tin(IV) chlorides and organyl chlorides is presented. The reactions of the NHCs Me2ImMe, iPr2ImMe and Dipp2Im with the methyl chlorides ECl2Me2 afforded the adducts NHC ⋅ ECl2Me2 (E=Ge (1), Sn (2)), NHC=Me2ImMe (a), iPr2ImMe (b), Dipp2Im (c)). The reaction of Me2ImMe with GeCl4 led to isolation of Me2ImMe ⋅ GeCl4 (3), the reaction of iPr2ImMe with SnCl4 in THF afforded the THF adduct iPr2ImMe ⋅ SnCl4 ⋅ THF (4). Dipp2Im ⋅ GeCl2Me2 (1 c) isomerized into the backbone coordinated imidazolium salt [aDipp2Im ⋅ GeClMe2][Cl] (5) upon thermal treatment. The reactions of cAACMe with (i) ECl2R2 (E=Ge, Sn) gave the adducts cAACMe ⋅ ECl2R2 (R=Me: E=Ge (6); Sn (7); Ph: E=Ge (8)), with (ii) GeClMe3 and GeCl4 the salts [cAACMe ⋅ GeMe3][Cl] (9) and [cAACMeCl][GeCl3] (10), and (iii) with SnCl4 the salt [cAACMeCl][SnCl3] (11) and the adduct cAACMe ⋅ SnCl4 (12). Reduction of 2 a with KC8 afforded the NHC‐stabilized stannylene Me2ImMe ⋅ SnMe2 13, reduction of 7 with either KC8 or 1,4‐bis‐(trimethylsilyl)‐1,4‐dihydropyrazin in the presence of SnCl2Me2 yielded cAACMe ⋅ SnMe2 ⋅ SnMe2Cl2 (14).

Selenium-N-heterocyclic carbene (Se-NHC) complexes with higher aromaticity inhibit microbes: synthesis, structure, and biological potential

The synthesis of five selenium complexes bearing imidazole-based N-heterocyclic carbene ligands (Se-NHC) are reported. The adducts were characterized by elemental and spectroscopic analysis (FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR). Single-crystal XRD confirmed the structures of two Se-NHC adducts, VIII and XI. Zone of inhibition (ZOI) values of Se-NHC complexes were evaluated towards two bacterial (Bacillus thuringiensis and Escherichia coli) and one fungal strain (Candida albicans). The most active tested compound was XI with inhibition value of 24.1 ± 0.1 mm against E. coli, and it showed higher activity than Tetracycline (reference drug). Similarly, XI exhibited good inhibition potential against C. albicans (26.5 ± 0.2 mm). The hemolytic assay demonstrated that the tested compounds (VIII-XII) are non-toxic to healthy human blood; however, thrombolysis indicated that VIII-XII could be used as potential thrombolytic agents. It is concluded that Se-NHC carbene adducts having more aromatic rings at terminal nitrogens of imidazole are more effective than other tested compounds. Se-NHC compounds have more efficacy against bacterial strains than fungal strain.

On the reactivity of Al-group 11 (Cu, Ag, Au) bonds.

Reactions of the seven-membered heterocyclic potassium diamidoalumanyl, [K{Al(SiNDipp)}]2 (SiNDipp = {CH2SiMe2NDipp}2; Dipp = 2,6-di-isopropylphenyl), with a variety of Cu(I), Ag(I) and Au(I) chloride N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) adducts are described. The resultant group 11-Al bonded derivatives have been characterised in solution by NMR spectroscopy and, in the case of [{SiNDipp}Al-Au(NHCiPr)] (NHCiPr = N,N'-di-isopropyl-4,5-dimethyl-2-ylidene), by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Although similar reactions of LAgCl and LAuCl, where L is a more basic cyclic alkyl amino carbene (CAAC), generally resulted in reduction of the group 11 cations to the base metals, X-ray analysis of [(CyCAAC)AgAl(SiNDipp)] (CyCAAC = 2-[2,6-bis(1-methylethyl)phenyl]-3,3-dimethyl-2-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ylidene) provides the first solid-state authentication of an Ag-Al σ bond. The reactivity of the NHC-supported Cu, Ag and Au alumanyl derivatives was assayed with the isoelectronic unsaturated small molecules, N,N'-di-isopropylcarbodiimide and CO2. While these reactions generally provided products consistent with nucleophilic attack of the group 11 atom at the electrophilic heteroallene carbon centre, treatment of the NHC-supported copper and silver alumanyls with N,N'-di-isopropylcarbodiimide yielded less symmetric Cu-C and Ag-C-bonded isomers. In contrast to the previously described copper and silver alumanyl derivatives, [(NON)Al(O2C)M(Pt-Bu3)] (M = Cu or Ag; NON = 4,5-bis(2,6-di-isopropylanilido)-2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene), which were prone to facile CO extrusion and formation of carbonate derivatives, the NHC-supported dioxocarbene species, [(NHCiPr)M(CO2)Al(SiNDipp)] (M = Cu, Ag, Au), are all stable at room and moderately elevated temperatures. The stabilising role of the NHC co-ligand was, thus, assessed by preparation of the t-Bu3P adducted copper-alumanyl, [(t-Bu3P)CuAl(SiNDipp)]. Treatment of this latter compound, which was also structurally characterised by X-ray analysis, with both N,N'-di-isopropylcarbodiimide and CO2 again provided smooth heteroallene insertion and formation of the relevant Cu-C-bonded products. Although both compounds were quite stable at room temperature, heating of [(t-Bu3P)Cu(CO2)Al(SiNDipp)] at 60 °C induced elimination of CO and formation of the analogous carbonate, [(t-Bu3P)Cu(OCO2)Al(SiNDipp)], which was identified by 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Reflective of the more reliable nucleophilic behaviour of the gold centres in these group 11 alumanyls, computational (QTAIM and NBO) analysis highlighted a lower level of covalency of the Al-Au linkage in comparison to the analogous Al-Cu and Al-Ag interactions. Although substitution of the co-ligand significantly perturbs the charge distribution across the Cu-Al bond of [LCuAl(SiNDipp)] (L = NHCiPr or t-Bu3P), only a negligible difference is observed between the phosphine-coordinated copper systems derived from either the [SiNDipp]- or (NON)-based alumanyl ligands. Computational mapping of the reaction profiles arising from treatment of the various group 11 alumanyls with N,N'-di-isopropylcarbodiimide indicates that the observed formation of the Cu-N and Ag-N bound isomers do not provide the thermodynamic reaction outcome. In contrast, examination of the CO2-derived reactions, and their potential toward CO extrusion and subsequent carbonate formation, implies that the identity of the co-ligand exerts a greater influence on this aspect of reactivity than the architecture of the diamidoalumanyl anion.

N-heterocyclic carbene and cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene adducts of plumbanes and plumbylenes.

Lewis-acid/base adducts of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and the cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene cAACMe (1-(2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl)-3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-pyrrolidin-2-ylidene) with selected lead(II) and lead(IV) compounds are presented. The reaction of the NHCs Me2ImMe (1,3,4,5-tetramethyl-imidazolin-2-ylidene), iPr2ImMe (1,3-di-isopropyl-4,5-dimethyl-imidazolin-2-ylidene), Dipp2Im (1,3-bis-(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)-imidazolin-2-ylidene) and cAACMe (1-(2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl)-3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-pyrrolidin-2-ylidene) with PbI2 yielded the NHC-containing plumbylenes NHC·PbI2 (NHC = Me2ImMe (1), iPr2ImMe (2), Dipp2Im (3) and cAACMe·PbI2 (4)). Using the Pb(IV) compound PbCl2Ph2, the plumbane adducts NHC·PbCl2Ph2 (NHC = Me2ImMe (5), iPr2ImMe (6), Dipp2Im (7)) and cAACMe·PbCl2Ph2 (8)) were isolated in high yields. Reduction of the lead(IV) adducts 5 and 6 with excess KC8 afforded the diaryl substituted plumbylenes Me2ImMe·PbPh2 (9) and iPr2ImMe·PbPh2 (10), which are stable in the solid state but decompose in solution.

π Back-Donation from a Beryllium Dibromide Fragment at the Expense of Its σ Strength.

It is common knowledge that metal-to-ligand π back-donation requires filled atomic orbitals at the metal center. However, we show through a combined experimental and theoretical approach that Be(II)→N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) π back-donation is present in the two carbene adducts [(iPr)BeBr2] (1) and [(iPr)2BeBr2] (2) (iPr = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene). These complexes were characterized with NMR, IR, and Raman spectroscopy as well as with single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. The unusual bonding situation is understood from the results of energy decomposition analysis in combination with natural orbital for chemical valence and quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules analysis. The obtained findings shed light on the unusually high Be-C bond strength in carbene adducts to beryllium compounds and rationalize their geometry and reactivity.

Experimental and Computational Study on Photophysical Properties of Mesoionic Chalcogenones.

N-Heterocyclic carbene adducts with main group elements (NHC=E) have aroused great interest and have been widely investigated in coordination chemistry. Among them, N-heterocyclic carbene adducts with chalcogens (NHC=Ch) have been known for a long time. Their investigations mostly focused on synthesis, coordination chemistry and electrochemistry. Their photophysical properties still remain unexplored. In this work, the photophysical properties of mesoionic carbene adducts with sulfur and selenium have been investigated both in solution and solid state. These compounds showed blue fluorescence in dichloromethane. While in solid state, orange to red room-temperature phosphorescence can be observed, and dual emission was found in mesoionic thiones. Furthermore, time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations were used to obtain insights into the luminescent mechanism.

Design, DFT studies, antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of Binuclear N-heterocyclic Carbene (NHCs) complexes, Probing the aspect of DNA interaction through In-vitro and In-silico approach

N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) adducts have shown remarkable biological potential for numerous medical applications. With an aim to improve biological potential of benzimidazolium salts, newer analogues of benzimidazole and their silver complexes were synthesized and characterized. Synthesized salts (L1-L2) and silver complexes (C1-C2) were confirmed through elemental analysis, UV–visible spectroscopy, FTIR, 1H NMR &13C NMR spectroscopy. The compounds C1 & C2 were found stable in solution form for studied time period when examined spectroscopically and showed optimum lipophilicity when measured for their partition coefficient through flask shake method. Synthesized compounds showed good antimicrobial potential against gram positive bacterial strain S. Aureus with IC50 2.02±0.12 and 2.11±0.13 µM respectively while 2.11±0.1 and 2.28±0.17 µM against gram negative bacterial strain E. Coli for C1 and C2 respectively. The interaction study of the related compounds with DNA was predicted by molecular docking study, which confirmed that the studied compound C1 (-8.04 kcal/mol) has a higher binding energy than compound C2 (-4.23 kcal/mol); Also, the compound C1 exhibits a better affinity against to DNA than Ethidium bromide (-7.68 kcal/mol) and cisplatin (-6.21 kcal/mol).The claim was practically assured through spectroscopic and viscometeric method which confirmed that compounds have good affinity for DNA with binding constant kb, 5.78×104 M-1 and 6.84×104 M-1 for C1 and C2 respectively.

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene and Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbene Adducts of Antimony(III)

AbstractA systematic study on Lewis‐acid/base adducts of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and the cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene cAACMe (1‐(2,6‐di‐iso‐propylphenyl)‐3,3,5,5‐tetramethyl‐pyrrolidin‐2‐ylidene) with antimony(III) chlorides of the general formula SbCl2R (R=Cl, Ph, Mes) is presented. The reaction of the NHCs Me2ImMe (1,3,4,5‐tetra‐methyl‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene), iPr2ImMe (1,3‐di‐isopropyl‐4,5‐dimethyl‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene), Mes2Im, Dipp2Im (R2Im=1,3‐di‐organyl‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene; Mes=2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl, Dipp=2,6‐di‐isopropylphenyl) and cAACMe with antimony(III) compounds SbCl2R (R=Cl (1), Ph (2) and Mes (3)) yields the adducts NHC ⋅ SbCl2R (R=Cl (4), Ph (5) and Mes (6); NHC=Me2ImMe (a), iPr2ImMe (b), Dipp2Im (c) and Mes2Im (d)) and cAACMe ⋅ SbCl2R (R=Cl (4 e) and Ph (5 e)). Thermal treatment of (Dipp2Im) ⋅ SbCl2Ar (Ar=Ph (5 c) and Mes (6 c)) in benzene leads to isomerization to the backbone coordinated aNHC‐adduct aDipp2Im ⋅ SbCl2Ar (Ar=Mes (7) and Ph (8)) (“a” denotes “abnormal” coordination mode of the NHC) in high yields. One of the chloride substituents at antimony of 7 can be abstracted by GaCl3 or Ag[BF4] to obtain the imidazolium salts [aDipp2Im ⋅ SbClMes][BF4] (9) and [aDipp2Im ⋅ SbClMes][GaCl4] (10).

Synthesis, crystal structure determination, and spectroscopic analyses of 1-chloro-2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-azaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,5-dione: an unyielding precursor to a cyclic (alkyl)(amido)carbene.

The synthesis, single-crystal X-ray structure, and 1H and 13C NMR spectrocopic analyses of an unyielding precursor molecule to a cyclic (alkyl)(amido)carbene, 1-chloro-2-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-azaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,5-dione, C24H34ClNO2 (1), is reported. Despite the use of several bases, 1 could not be deprotonated to afford the corresponding carbene. The crystal structure of 1 was compared to the crystal structures of two structurally similar HCl adducts of stable carbenes (compounds 4 and 5), which revealed no significant differences in the geometries about the `carbene' C atoms. To better understand the reactivity differences observed for 1 when compared to 4 and 5, modified percent buried volume (%Vbur) calculations were performed. These calculations revealed that the H atom bound to the carbene C atom is the most sterically hindered in compound 1 when compared to 4 and 5 (%Vbur= 84.9, 81.3, and 79.3% for 1, 4, and 5, respectively). Finally, close inspection of the quadrant-specific %Vbur values indicated that the approach of a deprotonating base to the H atom bound to the carbene C atom is significantly blocked in 1 (69.9%) when compared to 4 and 5 (50.4 and 56.5%, respectively).