Synthesis of electronically diverse tetraarylimidazolylidene carbenes via catalytic aldimine coupling.
A new method for synthesizing symmetrical N-heterocyclic imidazolium salts is described. Catalytic coupling of aldimines with cyanide followed by oxidation gives alpha-diketimines, which can then be cyclized with formaldehyde in acidic media. This two-step procedure requires no chromatography and allows the synthesis of electronically diverse 1,3,4,5-tetraarylimidazolylidene carbenes.
Ogle
James W
JW
Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3255, USA.
Zhang
Jubo
J
Reibenspies
Joseph H
JH
Abboud
Khalil A
KA
Miller
Stephen A
SA