The structures of ring-expanded NHC supported copper(i) triphenylstannyls and their phenyl transfer reactivity towards heterocumulenes

Three ring-expanded N-heterocyclic carbene-supported copper(i) triphenylstannyls have been synthesised by the reaction of (RE-NHC)CuO^tBu with triphenylstannane (RE-NHC = 6-Mes, 6-Dipp, 7-Dipp). The compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Reaction of (6-Mes)CuSnPh₃ with di-p-tolyl carbodiimide, phenyl isocyanate and phenylisothiocyanate gives access to a copper(i) benzamidinate, benzamide and benzothiamide respectively via phenyl transfer from the triphenylstannyl anion with concomitant formation of (Ph₂Sn)_n. Attempts to exploit this reactivity under a catalytic regime were hindered by rapid copper(i)-catalysed dismutation of Ph₃SnH to Ph₄Sn, various perphenylated tin oligomers, H₂ and a metallic material thought to be Sn(0). Mechanistic insight was provided by reaction monitoring via NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.