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Mesoionic carbenes (MIC) are a popular class of compound that are heavily investigated at the moment. The access to cationic MICs, and the ability of MICs to stabilize radicals are two highly attractive fields that have hardly been explored until now. Here the synthesis and characterisation of three different cationic azide-substituted 1,2,3-triazolium salts, used as building blocks for studying their reactivity towards triphenylphosphine are reported, where the reactivity is dependent on the nature of the starting triazolium salt. Furthermore, the cationic triazolium salts were used to develop a series of unsymmetrical MIC-triazene-NHC/MIC’ compounds, which can be readily converted to the radical form either by electrochemical or chemical methods. These radicals, which display NIR electrochromism, were investigated using a battery of techniques such as electrochemistry, UV/Vis/NIR and EPR spectroelectrochemistry, and theoretical calculations. Interestingly, the MIC plays an important role in the stabilization of the triazenyl radical, particularly in a competitive role vis-à-vis their NHC counterparts. These results shed new light on the ability of MICs to stabilize radicals, and possibly also on their π-accepting ability.

An evidence for the formation of a rare meta-metalated inherently chiral calix[4]arene is described. Our strategy involved using a mesoionic carbene to direct C–H activation, but proved to form an unexpectedly unstable intermediate that was identified through high-resolution mass spectrometry. On route to our target, a new optimized method to mononitrocalix[4]arenes was developed, including optimized and high yielding transformations to azide and 1,2,3-triazole derivatives which may have application in other areas of research.

A series of novel cationic and neutral Rh complexes with an N-donor-functionalized 1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene (TRZ) ligand (in which the pendant N donor is NHBoc, NH2, or NMe2) is described. The catalytic activity of these complexes was evaluated in the hydrothiolation of alkynes. Among the catalysts, a neutral dicarbonyl complex featuring the tethered-NBoc amido-TRZ ligand proved very selective for alkyne hydrothiolation with an aryl thiol. Remarkably, the reaction could be carried out in the absence of pyridine or base additive. In addition, during the reaction, no evidence for oxidative addition of the thiol S−H bond was observed, strongly suggesting a reaction pathway in which a bifunctional ligand is involved. Experimental and theoretical mechanistic investigations suggest a ligand-assisted deprotonation of thiol, hemilabile dissociation of amine from the metal, and thiolate coordination, which is indicative of a different reaction mechanism to those previously reported for related alkyne hydrothiolation reactions.

(-) Menthol was converted to 1-menthyl-3-methyl-4-phenyltriazolium iodide and 1-neomethyl-3-methyl-4-phenyltriazolium iodide in four steps. These triazolium salts that are enantio pure but diastereo isomers, served as precursors for the synthesis of the corresponding enantio pure bis(1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene)PdI2 complexes with menthyl and neomenthyl wing tip groups. The palladium complexes were synthesized in high yields using a recently developed mild method under base free and silver free conditions at ambient temperature. These triazolium salts also served as precursors for the synthesis of the corresponding enantio pure PEPPSI type (1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene) (pyridine)PdI2 complexes. All the complexes were thoroughly characterized by spectroscopic and single crystal XRD data. The relative catalytic activities of these complexes were compared for Suzuki-Miyaura C-C coupling. � 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A series of PEPPSI-type palladium(II) complexes was synthesized that contain 3-chloropyridine as an easily removable ligand and a triazolylidene as a strongly donating mesoionic spectator ligand. Catalytic tests in Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions revealed the activity of these complexes towards aryl bromides and aryl chlorides at moderate temperatures (50 °C). However, the impact of steric shielding was the inverse of that observed with related normal Nheterocyclic carbenes (imidazol-2-ylidenes) and sterically congested mesityl substituents induced lower activity than small alkyl groups. Mechanistic investigations, including mercury poisoning experiments, TEM analyses, and ESI mass spectrometry, provide evidence for ligand dissociation and the formation of nanoparticles as a catalyst resting state. These heterogeneous particles provide a reservoir for soluble palladium atoms or clusters as operationally homogeneous catalysts for the arylation of aryl halides. Clearly, the substitution of a normal N-heterocyclic carbene for a more basic triazolylidene ligand in the precatalyst has a profound impact on the mode of action of the catalytic system. European Research Council Science Foundation Ireland