Anionic N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands from Mesoionic Imidazolium Precursors: Remote Backbone Arylimino Substitution Directs Carbene Coordination

Abstract

Versatile precursor to metal complexes: The lithiated N-heterocyclic carbene derivative [Li(imino–imidide)(tmeda)] (imino–imidide=4-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)imidazol-2-ylidenide), obtained by deprotonation and lithiation of a mesoionic 4-aryliminoimidazolium, serves as a versatile precursor to metal complexes with the anionic 4-aryliminoimidazolide by salt metathesis. DFT calculations demonstrate that tuneable electronic and steric factors of the substituent at the Nexo imino function of the heterocycle dictate the preferred site of the metallation (CNHC vs. Nexo). As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied by the authors. Such materials are peer reviewed and may be re-organized for online delivery, but are not copy-edited or typeset. Technical support issues arising from supporting information (other than missing files) should be addressed to the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.