Relative to N-heterocyclic carbenes, the heavier Group 14 analogues (silylenes, germylenes, and stannylenes) are less well-explored as ancillary ligands in transition metal catalysis. Unlike their carbon-based counterparts, these ligands frequently diverge from the role of pure sigma-donation, exhibiting ambiphilic reactivity and/or a propensity to bridge multiple metal centers. We are incorporating the heavier N-heterocylic carbene analogues into chelating ligand platforms to leverage these properties into the development of novel catalyst systems featuring metal-ligand cooperation in substrate activation and/or the assembly of polymetallic complexes. Herein, we report progress towards these goals with both silylene- and germylene-based systems.

Activation of small molecules using transition metal silylene and germylene complexes

251st National Meeting (2016)

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