2-Iminoimidazolines -: Strong nitrogen bases als ligands in inorganic chemistry

Due to the tendency of the 5-membered cyclic fragment to accept a positive charge which yields an ylide type bonding situation, 2-iminoimidazolines are strong nitrogen bases. They can serve as neutral ligands being 2+2 electron donors. Deprotonation leads to the anions which are potential 2+4 electron donors. We describe first the synthesis and characterization of the title compound 2-imino-1,3-dimethylimidazoline (ImNH, 8) and its anion 9. Next we demonstrate their properties as ligands in complexes of main group elements and transition metals. In a third chapter we describe attempts to functionalize iminoimidazolines with the goal to create neutral ligands that coordinate in a semistable fashion. On this way we want to make a contribution to the chemistry of complex compounds directed towards catalysis.