Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of a 1‐Stannavinylidene‐NHC Complex: A Heavier Group‐14 Analogue of Vinylidene

The first stable 1‐stannavinylidene‐NHC complex with bulky silyl substituents has been obtained from the retro‐dimerization of cyclic 1,3‐bis(stannylene) with an N ‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC). To accomplish the retro‐dimerization of cyclic 1,3‐bis(stannylene), a suitably sized NHC is required. Both in the solid state and in solution, 1‐stannavinylidene‐NHC complex is characterized by the presence of a C = Sn π bond. When treated with SnCl 2 , 1‐stannavinylidene‐NHC complex undergoes an addition reaction to afford the corresponding stable gem ‐bis(chlorostannylene).