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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Isolating Free Carbenes, their Mixed Dimers and Organic Radicals
Published on: April 19, 2019
Azo-MICs: Redox-Active Mesoionic Carbene Ligands Derived from Azoimidazolium Dyes
F Mark Chadwick1, Basile F E Curchod2, Rosario Scopelliti1
1Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Azoimidazolium dyes were used as precursors for mesoionic carbene ligands (Azo-MICs). The properties of these ligands were examined by synthesizing RhI , AuI , and PdII complexes. Experimental (NMR, IR) and theoretical investigations show that Azo-MICs are potent σ-donor ligands. Yet, they feature a small singlet-triplet gap and very low-lying LUMO levels. The unique electronic properties of Azo-MICs allow for reversible one-electron reductions of the metal complexes, as evidenced by cyclic voltammetry.
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