A Versatile Cuprous Synthon: [Cu(IPr)(OH)] (IPr=1,3 bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene)

The novel 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (hydroxy) copper ([Cu(IPr)(OH)]) exhibits a versatile capacity to activate numerous X-H bonds including all major hybridizations of C-H (i.e., sp, sp(2), sp(3)), N-H, P-H, O-H,S-H, and one example of M-H (M = Mo) bonds. This reactivity also includes the cleavage of the Si-N and Si-C bonds to form unprecedented Cu-centered complexes.