Application of ferrocene-bridged N-heterocyclic carbene stabilised bis-phosphinidenes in Sn(ii) complexation

Two new bidentate ferrocene-bridged bis(N-heterocyclic carbene-phospinidenes) (bisNHCPs) were successfully isolated by treating 1,1′-bis-(dichlorophosphine)ferrocene with N-heterocyclic carbenes, followed by dechlorination using sodium naphthalenide. The bisNHCPs were used in complexation of various Sn(ii) halides and Sn(ii) bistriflate (SnX2 with X = Cl, Br, I, OTf). Transmetalation to a CuCl complex and Sn(ii) transfer to a bisimine was performed to investigate the stannyliumylidenes' reactivity.