One macrocyclic ligand, four oxidation states: A 16-atom ringed dianionic tetra-NHC macrocycle and its Cr(II) through Cr(V) complexes.

Despite chromium being among the first transition metals ever reported to bind to an NHC, chromium NHC complexes, especially in mid and high oxidation states, have received scant attention. Herein, the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of a series of Cr(II) to Cr(V) complexes bearing a 16-atom ringed dianionic tetra-NHC macrocycle are reported. The Cr(II) dimer is diamagnetic and displays a very short Cr-Cr quadruple bond, unprecedented for Cr-NHC complexes to date.