Tuning the Electronic and Ligand Properties of Remote Carbenes: A Theoretical Study

Abstract

The effect of annulation and carbonylation on the electronic and ligating properties of remote N-heterocyclic carbenes (rNHCs) has been studied quantum-chemically. The thermodynamic stability of these complexes has been assessed on the basis of their hydrogenation and stabilization energies, while HOMO–LUMO gaps are used to measure the kinetic stabilities. Annulated/carbonylated rNHCs are found to be weaker σ donors but better π acceptors compared with the parent rNHCs. The reactivity of these rNHCs has been studied by evaluating their nucleophilicity and electrophilicity indices. The nucleophilicity values are in good agreement with the σ basicities of all of the rNHCs. The ³¹P NMR chemical shifts of the corresponding rNHC–phosphinidene adducts have been calculated and found to correlate well with the π acidities of these rNHCs