Reactivity of (NHC)2FeX2 Complexes toward Arylborane Lewis Acids and Arylboronates

(NHC)2FeCl2 complexes undergo methoxide transfer in preference to aryl transfer from [(Aryl)­B­(OR)3]−, while addition of ArylBY2 (Y = Cl, OR) to (NHC)­Fe–methoxide compounds leads only to formation of (NHC)­BY2Aryl. The addition of PhBCl2 to (NHC)2FeX2 compounds is introduced as a method for probing NHC dissociation from iron. Two expanded ring NHCs also undergo dissociation from iron in the respective (NHC)2FeCl2 complexes.