Reductive generation of stable, five-membered N,N′-diamidocarbenes

The synthesis of the first stable, five-membered N,N'-diamidocarbenes (DACs), including a differentially N-substituted derivative, was achieved via the reduction of a geminal dichloride precursor using potassium. Key differences between the reactivity of the five-membered DACs and their six-membered congeners were observed, including an ability to insert into electron-rich C-H bonds.