Dioxygen activation with stable N-heterocyclic carbenes

Abstract

Dioxygen activation with both cyclic (amino)(alkyl)carbenes and di(amino)carbenes at ambient temperature is described. Theoretical studies suggest that electron rearrangement from the doubly filled σ orbital of carbene carbon to its vacant p orbital through the π* antibonding orbital of ³O₂ can be considered for C_carbene–O bond formation.