Betaine formation from the reactions of N-heterocyclic carbenes with polarized alkenes

N-Heterocyclic carbenes [1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene 1a (IMes) or 1,3-bis(2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl)imidazolidene 1b (SIPr)] react with the polarized alkenes 2 and 4 to form the crystalline betaines 3a, 3b, and 5a. Furthermore, a one-pot reaction between an aldehyde, malononitrile, and an imidazolium salt of an N-heterocyclic carbene has been developed for the efficient preparation of betaine 5a without isolation of the free carbene. Full characterization data, including X-ray crystal structures, is reported for the three synthesized betaines. The structures of the betaines 3a, 3b, and 5a shed new light on the initial products formed in the reactions between N-heterocyclic carbenes and compounds containing polarized double bonds. (author)