Isoquinolin-1-ylidenes as electronically tuneable ligands

The novel isoquinolin-1-ylidene ligands, introduced into Rh(I) complexes by exploiting the carbene-like reactivity of adducts 6, exhibit ligand properties similar to those of classic NHCs, and their electronic properties can be tuned by the introduction of electron-withdrawing or donating groups in the benzene ring.