The electron-donating properties of N-heterocyclic carbenes ([N,N'-bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)imidazol]-2-ylidene and the respective dihydro ligands) with 4,4'-R-substituted aryl rings (4,4'-R=NEt2, OC(12)H(25), Me, H, Br, S(4-tolyl), SO(4-tolyl), SO2(4-tolyl)) were studied. Twelve new N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were synthesized as well as the respective iridium complexes [IrCl(cod)(NHC)] and [IrCl(CO)2(NHC)]. Cyclic voltammetry (DeltaE1/2) and IR (nu (CO)) can be used to measure the electron-donating properties of the carbene ligands. Modifying the 4-positions with electron-withdrawing substituents (4-R=-SO(2)Ar, DeltaE1/2=+0.92 V) results in NHC ligands with virtually the same electron-donating capacity as a trialkylphosphine in [IrCl(cod)(PCy3)] (DeltaE1/2 =+0.95 V), while [IrCl(cod)(NHC)] complexes with 4-R=NEt2 (DeltaE1/2= +0.59 V) show drastically more cathodic redox potentials and significantly enhanced donating properties.

Sulfonated, water-soluble imidazolium and imidazolinium salts were synthesized and the respective Pd-complexes with N,N'-bis(2,6-dialkyl-4-SO(3)(-)-phenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene and N,N'-bis(2,6-dialkyl-4-SO(3)(-)-phenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene ligands were applied in aqueous Suzuki coupling reactions of aryl chlorides.

The electron-donating properties of eighteen N-heterocyclic carbenes (N,N'-bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)imidazol)-2-ylidene and the respective dihydro ligands) with 4,4'-R substituted aryl rings (4,4'-R = NEt2, OMe, Me, H, SMe, F, Cl, Br, I) in the respective Grubbs II complexes were studied using electrochemical techniques. The nature of the 4-R substituent has a strong influence on the RuII/III redox potentials ranging between DeltaE1/2= +0.196 and +0.532 V. Three unsymmetrical Grubbs II complexes with 4-R not equal to 4-R' were also synthesized. Dynamic NMR spectroscopy revealed the restricted rotation around the (NHC)C-Ru bond (DeltaG = 89 kJ mol(-1) at 333 K) resulting in two atropisomers, respectively, with an isomer ratio close to unity. Each of the isomers, that is the two orientations of the 4-R/4-R' substituted mesityl ring with respect to the R=CHPh unit, gives rise to different redox potentials (4-R = NEt2, 4-R' = Br: DeltaE1/2= +0.232 and +0.451 V). In the oxidized Grubbs II complex (4-R = NEt2, H) and in the cathodic isomer the electron rich aryl ring is located above the Ru=CHPh unit. This orientational effect provides clear evidence for strong pi-pi through-space interactions in the RuIII complexes, assuming that the alternative through-bond transfer of electron density is equally efficient in both isomers.

Grubbs-Hoveyda and Grubbs III type complexes with ferrocenyl-or -NEt 2 -substituted NHC ligands were synthesized according to standard procedures. The electron donation of the NHC ligands in the respective ruthenium complexes can be modulated by oxidation of the ferrocenyl moiety or by protonation of the amino group. The neutral and the respective cationic (oxidized or protonated) ruthenium complexes were tested in the ROMP of norbornene. The change in the electron donation of the NHC ligands upon protonation leads to a significant change in the doublebond geometry (from E/Z ratio = 0.78 to E/Z = 1.04) and in the microstructure of the resulting polynorbornene. Consequently, addition of acid and protonation of the living catalyst attached to the polymer chain during the polymerization reaction allows fine-tuning the E/Z ratio of the resulting polynorbornene. † Dedicated to Dietmar Seyferth in recognition of his tremendous contributions to organometallic chemistry and Organometallics.

NHC with EWGs for RCM: Ruthenium complexes with two N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), one of them substituted with electron-withdrawing groups (EWGs), are highly efficient (pre)catalysts for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted olefins and trisubstituted olefins by ring-closing metathesis reactions (RCM, see scheme).