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Benchtop synthesis and crystal structure determination of a monomeric N-heterocyclic carbene complex of copper(I) chloride

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Abstract

(1,3-Bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene)copper(I) chloride (1) was prepared by the reaction of 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolium chloride and copper(I) oxide in refluxing tetrahydrofuran. In contrast to previously published methods of preparation of N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of copper(I) halides, this synthesis requires neither an inert atmosphere nor scrupulously dry solvents. The structure of 1 was determined by elemental analysis, 1H and 13C NMR, and a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. The X-ray crystal data reveal linear coordination about the copper(I) center and linear chains of molecules formed with intermolecular head-to-tail C–H···Cl interactions.

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Acknowledgments

Colin D. Abernethy gratefully acknowledges Research Corporation for providing generous support through Cottrell College Science Award No. CC6614. Acknowledgment is also made to the donors of the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund for support of this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Keene State College, 229 Main St, Keene, NH, 03435-2001, USA

    Anna P. McLean, Elizabeth A. Neuhardt, Joel P. St. John & Colin D. Abernethy

  2. Department of Chemistry, Campus Box 3290, Caudill and Kenan Laboratories, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3290, USA

    Michael Findlater

Authors
  1. Anna P. McLean
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  2. Elizabeth A. Neuhardt
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  3. Joel P. St. John
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  4. Michael Findlater
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  5. Colin D. Abernethy
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Correspondence to Colin D. Abernethy.

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McLean, A.P., Neuhardt, E.A., St. John, J.P. et al. Benchtop synthesis and crystal structure determination of a monomeric N-heterocyclic carbene complex of copper(I) chloride. Transition Met Chem 35, 415–418 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11243-010-9343-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11243-010-9343-4

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