Template Synthesis of Donor-Functionalized NX-Carbenes (X = P, Si)

Donor-functionalized (phosphino)(amino)- and (silyl)(amino)carbenes are generated via nucleophilic attack at the carbon atom of a coordinated isocyande on a piano-stool iron(II) complex. The template synthesis methodology involves the formation of ylidene complexes, which are reduced to yield the desired carbene complexes. The electronic properties of the resulting carbene complexes are similar and indicate that in the (phosphino)(amino)carbene the phosphine lone pair is not interacting with the carbene carbon and is available for further reactivity.