Latent Nucleophilic Carbenes

Using DFT and ab initio calculations, we demonstrate that noncyclic formamidines can undergo thermal rearrangement into their isomeric aminocarbenes under rather mild conditions. We synthesized the silylformamidine, for which the lowest activation energy in this process was predicted. Experimental studies proved it to serve as a very reactive nucleophilic carbene. The reactions with acetylenes, benzenes, and trifluoromethane proceeded via insertion into sp, sp², and sp³ CH bonds. The carbene also reacted with the functional groups, such as CHO, COR, and CN at double or triple bonds, displaying high mobility of the trimethylsilyl group. The obtained silylformamidine can be considered as a latent nucleophilic carbene. It can be prepared in bulk quantities, stored, and used when the need arises. Calculation results predict similar behavior for some other silylated formamidines and related compounds.