Synthesis and characterisation of the first carbene–thallium complexes: molecular structure of [TlCl3{CN(Mes)C2H2N(Mes)}], Mes = C6H2Me3-2,4,6

Abstract

The reaction of the stable carbenes, :CN(Mes)C₂R₂N(Mes), R = H (IMes) or Br (IMesBr), with TlX₃, X = Cl or Br, Mes = mesityl, yields the complexes, [TlX₃{CN(Mes)C₂R₂N(Mes)}], one of which, [TlCl₃(IMes)], has been crystallographically characterised and its thermal decomposition studied; further reaction of [TlCl₃(IMes)] with one equivalent of :CN(Me)C₂Me₂N(Me) affords the mixed bis-carbene complex [TlCl₃(IMes){CN(Me)C₂Me₂N(Me)}] which has been characterised spectroscopically.