Isolating Free Carbenes, their Mixed Dimers and Organic Radicals

Protocols for the isolation of the commonly employed cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbene (CAAC) and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) are reported. Furthermore, the synthesis of their mixed CAAC–NHC “Wanzlick” dimer and the synthesis of the related stable organic “olefin” radical are presented. The main goal of this manuscript is to give a detailed and general protocol for the synthetic chemist of any skill level on how to prepare free heterocyclic carbenes by deprotonation using filter cannulas. Due to the air-sensitivity of the synthesized compounds, all experiments are performed under inert atmosphere using either Schlenk technique or a dinitrogen filled glovebox. Controlling Wanzlick’s equilibrium (i.e., the dimerization of free carbenes), is a crucial requirement for the application of free carbenes in coordination chemistry or organic synthesis. Thus, we elaborate on the specific electronic and steric requirements favoring the formation of dimers, heterodimers, or monomers. We will show how proton catalysis allows for the formation of dimers, and how the electronic structure of carbenes and their dimers affects the reactivity with either moisture or air. The structural identity of the reported compounds is discussed based on their NMR spectra.