An efficient one-pot procedure is described for the reduction
of aryl iodides to aryl anions using a structurally simple bis-pyridinylidene
electron donor, prepared in situ by treating 4-DMAP methiodide salt
with base. The results show (i) that pyridinylidene carbenes can
be easily used for intermolecular C-C bond formation, (ii)
that bis-pyridinylidenes demonstrate superior robustness compared
to electron-donor systems based on bis-imidazolylidenes, and (iii)
that electron-donor strength is enhanced in the simplified DMAP-based
donor. Deuterated analogues of this donor also provide mechanistic
information on the source of protons when the aryl anions are quenched
in situ.
electron donor - pyridinylidene - reduction - 4-DMAP