title: N-heterocyclic carbene-functionalized ruthenium phosphinidenes: what a difference a twist makes.
abstract: Catalyst tuning by changing ligands is a well-established protocol in transition-metal chemistry. N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and tertiary phosphines (R(3)P) are the ubiquitous ligand actors. Here we demonstrate that the relative sigma-donor/pi-acceptor ability of the NHC ligand itself can be influenced by a simple substituent-controlled conformational change, thereby directly impacting the reactivity of the transition-metal complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1083, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aktas
authors.forename: J Chris
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Slootweg
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schakel
authors.forename: Andreas W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Ehlers
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: Anthony L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Spek
authors.forename: Koop
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lammertsma
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D008697:Methane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010720:Phosphines / Q000737:chemistry*; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D010720:Phosphines; C030011:carbene; D012428:Ruthenium; D008697:Methane