A Versatile Cuprous Synthon: [Cu(IPr)(OH)] (IPr = 1,3 bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene)

The novel 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (hydroxy) copper ([Cu(IPr)(OH)]) exhibits a versatile capacity to activate numerous X−H bonds including all major hybridizations of C−H (i.e., sp, sp2, sp3), N−H, P−H, O−H, S−H, and one example of M−H (M = Mo) bonds. This reactivity also includes the cleavage of the Si−N and Si−C bonds to form unprecedented Cu-centered complexes.