Synthesis, Structure and Catalytic Activity of NHC–AgICarboxylate Complexes

Abstract

A general synthetic route was used to prepare 15 new N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–AgIcomplexes bearing anionic carboxylate ligands [Ag(NHC)(O2CR)], including a homologous series of complexes of sterically flexible ITent ligands, which permit a systematic spectroscopic and theoretical study of the structural and electronic features of these compounds. The complexes displayed a significant ligand-accelerated effect in the intramolecular cyclisation of propargylic amides to oxazolidines. The substrate scope is highly complementary to that previously achieved by NHC–Au and pyridyl–AgIcomplexes.