Simple but effective: thermally stable Cu–ESiMe3via NHC ligation

Abstract

A series of thermally stable N-heterocyclic copper–chalcogenolate complexes of the general formula [(IPr)Cu–ESiMe₃] (IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene; E = S, Se, Te) have been prepared from [(IPr)CuOAc] and E(SiMe₃)₂ at low temperature. The reaction of [(IPr)Cu–SSiMe₃] with mercuric(II) acetate affords the heterometallic [{(IPr)CuS}₂Hg] complex containing two (IPr)Cu–S⁻ fragments to a central Hg(II).