Reactions of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) with one-electron oxidants: possible formation of a carbene cation radicalElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: spectroscopic data, calculated atomic coordinates and cyclic voltammograms. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b3/b314110a/

Abstract

One-electron oxidation of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) has been carried out using oxidising agents such as tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and ferrocenium [Cp2Fe]+; the formation of carbene radical cations is postulated.