Unravelling carbene moiety role in the N-heterocyclic carbene-phosphinidenes coordination chemistry: bonding and reactivity in gold chemistry
The study investigated how different classes of N-heterocyclic carbene-phosphinidene (NHCP) ligands affect gold hydride complexes ([NHCPAuH]). Findings show that NHCPs have a unique bonding pattern: they are stronger σ-donors than standard NHCs, and their coordination geometry at the phosphorus center is highly flexible. This tunability directly controls the reactivity of these complexes with CO2, establishing a clear link between ligand structure and reaction rate.