Enhancing Reactivity and Selectivity of H₂-driven Copper Hydride Chemistry with Bifunctional N-heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Bearing Basic Subunits

Abstract

This synpacts article highlights two recent developments in H₂-driven copper hydride chemistry with bifunctional N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands. Two distinct bifunctional copper(I) complexes emerge, each with different, basic nitrogen-based, catalytically active functional groups. A guanidine-appended NHC enables a site-selective catalytic hydrogenation of the so-called “privileged” amides in the presence of other, structurally closely related amides. Furthermore, a second bifunctional NHC ligand bearing a basic 2-iminopyridine subunit allows for catalytic hydrogenation of alkynes and conjugated amides under low H₂ pressure. Both catalysts are placed into a common context by discussing the fundamental mechanism of heterolytic H₂ activation and the fate of the resulting proton.

Keywords

N-heterocyclic carbenes - Copper - Hydrogen - Catalysis - Organocatalysis - Hydrogenation - Coordination chemistry

Publication History

Received: 30 June 2025

Accepted after revision: 29 August 2025

Article published online:
18 September 2025

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