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Free keywords:
computational chemistry; cycloaddition; gold; homogeneous catalysis; N-heterocyclic carbenes
Abstract:
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Accept it! Although the π-acceptor properties of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are often considered negligible, they can be enhanced to the extent that they start to dominate the catalytic behavior of gold–NHC complexes (see scheme). As it seems to be easier to tune the π acidity of NHCs than to alter their σ-donor properties, the general perception of this important class of ancillary ligands needs to be revised.
