Activation of 7-Silanorbornadienes by N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: A Selective Way to N-Heterocyclic-Carbene-Stabilized Silylenes.

The synthesis of hydridosilylenes Ter(H)Si: 3a (Ter: 2,6-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)phenyl) and Ter*(H)Si: 3b (Ter*: 2,6-bis(2,4,6-triiso-propylphenyl)phenyl) stabilized by the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ImMe4 is reported. The synthesis of stabilized hydridosilylenes 3 was accomplished by a previously unknown NHC-induced fragmentation of silanorbornadiene derivatives. Structural studies of the stabilized silylenes 3 and of its Fe(CO)4 complex 12 accompanied by a theoretical analysis of their bonding situation indicate that stabilized silylenes such as 3 can be regarded as neutral silyl anion equivalents.