Application of ferrocene-bridged N-heterocyclic carbene stabilised bis-phosphinidenes in Sn(ii) complexation

Abstract

Two new bidentate ferrocene-bridged bis(N-heterocyclic carbene–phospinidenes) (bisNHCPs) were successfully isolated by treating 1,1′-bis-(dichlorophosphine)ferrocene with N-heterocyclic carbenes, followed by dechlorination using sodium naphthalenide. The bisNHCPs were used in complexation of various Sn(II) halides and Sn(II) bistriflate (SnX₂ with X = Cl, Br, I, OTf). Transmetalation to a CuCl complex and Sn(II) transfer to a bisimine was performed to investigate the stannyliumylidenes’ reactivity.