“Decarbonization” of an imino-N-heterocyclic carbene ligand via triple benzyl migration from hafnium

Abstract

An imino-N-heterocyclic carbene underwent three sequential benzyl migrations upon reaction with tetrabenzylhafnium, resulting in complete removal of the carbene carbon from the ligand. The resulting eneamido–amidinato hafnium complex showed alkene polymerization activity comparable to that of a precatalyst containing the intact iminocarbene ligand.