N-Phosphine Oxide-Substituted Imidazolylidenes (PoxIms): Multifunctional Multipurpose Carbenes

Abstract

This article discusses the concept of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) equipped with more than one functional moiety, which allows using these NHCs for multiple purposes. A pioneering example for such NHCs is N-phosphine oxide-substituted imidazolylidenes (PoxIms), and their synthesis and strategic use are highlighted. The utility of PoxIms by far exceeds the conventional use as multidentate ligands for metal complexes on account of the synergetic functions of the carbene and the N-phosphine oxide group(s).