N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) rhodium(I) complexes of general formula Rh(COD)X(NHC) are synthesized and structurally characterized (spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction). The relative σ-donor/π-acceptor quality of various NHC ligands was examined and classified by means of IR spectroscopy at the corresponding Rh(CO)2I(NHC) complexes. The first single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of rhodium pyrazolin- and tetrazolinylidene complexes are reported. A wide variety of different azolium salts was applied to obtain rhodium and iridium complexes with two and four carbene ligands.

No example of a simple uncatalyzed dimerization of a diaminocarbene has been clearly established, so it is timely to ask what factors control the thermodynamics of this reaction, and what mechanisms are responsible for the observed dimerizations? In agreement with qualitative experimental observations, the dimerizations of simple five- and six-membered-ring diaminocarbenes are calculated to be 100 kJ mol(-1) less favorable than those of acyclic counterparts. This large difference is semiquantitatively accounted for by bond and torsional angle changes around the carbene centers. Carbenes such as (Et(2)N)(2)C are kinetically stable in THF at 25 degrees C in agreement with calculated energy barriers, but they rapidly dimerize in the presence of the corresponding formamidinium ion. This proton-catalyzed process is probably the most common mechanism for dimer formation, and involves formation of C-protonated dimers, which can be observed in suitable cases. The possibility of alkali-metal-promoted dimerization is raised, and circumstantial evidence for this is presented.

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We synthesize a series of block copolymers comprising a polystyrene (PS) block and an imidazolium-functionalized PS (IL) block and characterize their assembly properties. We use small-angle neutron scattering and dynamic light scattering to determine the micelle size and shape in dilute solutions and to assess the micelle interactions in concentrated solutions. By studying a series of copolymers with fixed PS block length, we find that the length of the IL block governs the micelle dimensions. Our data suggest that these copolymers form elongated micelle structures where the IL block is extended in the micelle core. We find that these micelles can sequester water and that interactions between the micelles lead to structure factor peaks at elevated concentrations.