N-heterocyclic olefin-based dianionic [OArCH2NHOArO]2− and neutral [MeOArCH2NHOArOMe] O,C,O′-pincer ligands

Abstract

The K₂-salt of N-heterocyclic olefin (NHO)-based dianionic O,C,O′-pincer [^OArCH₂NHO^ArO]²⁻, bearing two unsymmetrically tethered aryloxide sidearms, remains elusive because of a fragmentation–isomerization sequence, whereas its Al–Me complex is isolated via a direct metalation strategy. The neutral variant [^MeOArCH₂NHO^ArOMe] is stable and isolated as a free NHO as well as in complexation with AlMe₃.