Synthesis of an imidazolium phosphanide zwitterion and its conversion into anionic imidazol-2-ylidene derivatives

Abstract

Matter of opinion: The novel zwitterion 1 has been synthesized and studied theoretically and also converted into anionic NHCs 2. The former can also be described as a phosphinidene adduct of an abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (1') and, in the same vein, the latter represents a phosphinidene adduct of an anionic N-heterocyclic dicarbene (2').

Keywords: N-heterocyclic carbenes; abnormal NHCs; anionic imidazol-2-ylidenes; phosphanides; zwitterions.