Attempts to generate the free bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) vegi R (R = nPr, tBu; vegi R = 2,7-dihydro-2,7dialkyldiimidazo[1,5-b:5′,1′-f ]pyridazine-1,8-diylidene) from its imidazolium salts 1 with alkali-metal bases resulted exclusively in the formation of the respective lithium, sodium, and potassium complexes 2−4 due to the strongly chelating properties of the dicarbene. DFT calculations reveal pronounced dispersion interactions in the case of N-tertbutyl substituents as the reason for the formation of the homoleptic lithium species 2b-H in solution. The dynamic behavior of the lithium complexes in equilibrium was studied by NMR techniques. Attempts to liberate the free carbenes by addition of the respective crown ethers failed for the lithium and sodium complexes. Deprotonation of the imidazolium salts 1a,b with the strong metal-free phosphazene base P4-tBu ({(Me 2 N) 3 PN} 3 PNtBu) generated successfully the free dicarbenes vegi R (5) and monocarbene 6b in solution.
The Ni(NHC) catalyzed rearrangement of 1‐acyl‐2‐vinylcyclopropanes to the corresponding 4‐acyl‐cyclopent‐1‐enes is highly promising for the synthesis of keto‐functionalized annelated bi‐ and tricyclic subunits of natural products. Therefore, we investigated the catalytic activity of Ni(NHC) complexes in the rearrangement of 1‐acyl‐2‐vinylcyclopropanes with different ring sizes and substitution patterns. Surprising effects regarding substrate scope and stereoselectivity of the Ni(NHC) catalyzed vinylcyclopropane‐cyclopentene rearrangement were observed. Only vinylcyclopropanes with 1‐methyl, 1‐phenyl, 1,2‐dialkyl or 2‐phenyl‐substitution at the vinyl moiety could be rearranged successfully. Moreover, an endo‐configuration on the cyclopropane ring was required for successful rearrangement. By treatment of the vinylcyclopropanes with Rh catalysts or Lewis acids, the involvement of Lewis acid catalysis could be ruled out. In order to understand these experimental results and to rationalize the reactivity of the Ni(NHC) complexes computational studies were performed, which provided insights into mechanistic details.
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