Interaction of an imidazolium-2-amidinate (NHC-CDI) zwitterion with zinc dichloride in dichloromethane: role as ligands and C-Cl activation promoters.

Adducts of imidazolium carbenes and carbodiimides (NHC-CDI) are emerging as a new class of thermally stable and modular zwitterions with many potential applications. Our study of the interaction of a representative NHC-CDI zwitterion with ZnCl2 in dichloromethane led to the serendipitous discovery of a highly selective, double activation of dichloromethane C-Cl bonds.