A dinitrosyl iron complex as a platform for metal-bound imidazole to N-heterocyclic carbene conversion

Abstract

An N-alkyl imidazole bearing a neutral {Fe(NO)2}(10) dinitrosyliron complex (DNIC) when treated with sodium t-butoxide undergoes base-promoted conversion to the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-DNIC, while maintaining the Fe(NO)2 unit intact. Subsequent alkylation led to the isolation of the NHC-DNIC product; further nitrosylation led to trinitrosyl (NHC)Fe(NO)3(+). Both were isolated and structurally characterized.