Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Preparation and Use of Carbonyl-decorated Carbenes in the Activation of White Phosphorus
Published on: October 3, 2014
Synthesis of carbenes through substitution reactions at a carbene center
Nathalie Merceron-Saffon1, Antoine Baceiredo, Heinz Gornitzka
1Laboratoire Hétérochimie Fondamentale et Appliquée [Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5069], Université Paul Sabatier, 118, route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse Cedex 04, France.
Abstract:
An (amino)(phosphino) carbene can be transformed into (amino)(phosphonio) carbenes, which undergo nucleophilic intermolecular as well as intramolecular substitution reactions at the carbene center. A variety of carbenes can be synthesized starting from a single carbene precursor. The resulting gamut of electronic and steric effects possible should open the way not only to a detailed study of the mechanism, but also to the subsequent improvement of catalytic reactions that involve carbene-transition metal complexes.
Related Concept Videos
Carbocations
Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Nitration of Benzene
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution: Elimination–Addition
Radical Substitution: Allylic Bromination
Reactions of α-Halocarbonyl Compounds: Nucleophilic Substitution

