Synergistic Catalysis by Brønsted Acid/Carbodicarbene Mimicking Frustrated Lewis Pair-Like Reactivity

Carbodicarbene (CDC), unique carbenic entities bearing two lone pairs of electrons are well-known for their strong Lewis basicity. We demonstrate herein, upon introducing a weak Brønsted acid benzyl alcohol (BnOH) as a co-modulator, CDC is remolded into a Frustrated Lewis Pair (FLP)-like reactivity. DFT calculation and experimental evidence show BnOH loosely interacting with the binding pocket of CDC via H-bonding and π-π stacking. Four distinct reactions in nature were deployed to demonstrate the viability of proof-of-concept as synergistic FLP/Modulator (CDC/BnOH), demonstrating enhanced catalytic reactivity in cyclotrimerization of isocyanate, polymerization process for L-lactide (LA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and dehydrosilylation of alcohols. Importantly, the catalytic reactivity of carbodicarbene is uniquely distinct from conventional NHC which relies on only single chemical feature of nucleophilicity. This finding also provides a new spin in diversifying FLP reactivity with co-modulator or co-catalyst.