Switching the Electron‐Donor Properties of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes by a Facile Deprotonation Strategy

Flip the switch! The facile and distinct variation of the electronic properties of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand is reported. In this process, a simple deprotonation/protonation strategy can render the NHC to be an electron-poor or an electron-rich NHC ligand: one ligand, two electronic natures.