Copper (I) 1,3-R2-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidenes (R=mesityl, 2-propyl): synthesis, X-ray structures, immobilization and catalytic activity

The synthesis of novel copper (I) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes is described. Thus, reaction of CuX with 1,3-di(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene yields CuX(1,3-di(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene) (X=Cl, (), Br ()); however, reaction of CuCl with 1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene yields the bis-N-heterocylcic carbene complex Cu(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)2+CuBr2− (). A supported version of , i.e. PS-DVB–CH2–OCO–CF2–CF2–CF2–COOCu(1,3-di(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene) () was prepared from and PS-DVB–CH2–OCO–CF2–CF2–CF2–COOAg. A copper loading of 4.15 μmol/g was realized. The new compounds were used as catalysts in carbonyl hydrosilylation and cyanosilylation reactions. Excellent reactivity was observed, giving raise to turn-over numbers (TONs) of up to 100,000. Compounds , , and have also been used as catalysts for the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA). A linear conversion of monomer with time was observed, however, no control over molecular weight of PMMA was observed.