Diatomic C2 is an elusive species that has only been indirectly observed in the gas phase. It had previously been stabilized in the condensed phase using two ligands, but now a monoligated L→C2 complex has been prepared with a bulky phosphine ligand (L) bearing two imidazolidin-2-iminato groups. Reactivity studies and theoretical quantum chemical analysis point to the C2 moiety having a dicarbene character.
- Tsz-Fai Leung
- Dandan Jiang
- Gernot Frenking