NHCs activate a diverse range of materials and thereby play a
central role in modern reaction discovery. Our studies have focused
on the application of NHCs as Lewis base catalysts. We recently
developed an all-carbon [4+2] cycloaddition-decarboxylation
that typifies this type of catalysis. Herein, the discovery of this methodology,
its context and scope are discussed.
catalysis - acyl azolium - N-heterocyclic carbenes - cycloaddition - cyclohexadiene