title: Interaction of a bulky N-heterocyclic carbene ligand with Rh(I) and Ir(I). Double C-H activation and isolation of bare 14-electron Rh(III) and Ir(III) complexes.
abstract: Reactivity and structural studies of unusual rhodium and iridium systems bearing two N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are presented. These systems are capable of intramolecular C-H bond activation and lead to coordinatively unsaturated 16-electron complexes. The resulting complexes can be further unsaturated by simple halide abstraction, leading to 14-electron species bearing an all-carbon environment. Saturation of the vacant sites in the 16- and 14-electron complexes with carbon monoxide permits a structural comparison. DFT calculations show that these electrophilic metal centers are stabilized by pi-donation of the NHC ligands.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana 70148, USA.
authors.forename: Natalie M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Reto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dorta
authors.forename: Edwin D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Correa
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cavallo
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Nolan