CHIRAL OXAZOLINE IMIDAZOLINE-2-YLIDENE COMPLEXES/

N-Heterocyclic ''carbene'' ligands derived from imidazole are alternat ives for the well-established phosphines in organometallic catalysis. In contrast to phosphines, they do not easily dissociate from transiti on metals (e.g., palladium, rhodium) so they seem suited for chiral mo difications. This publication reports on the synthesis and coordinatio n chemistry of novel bidentate ligands with both imidazoline-2-ylidene and oxazoline moieties. The synthesis follows straightforward routes, using N-functionalized imidazolium salts and a-amino alcohols. The cr ystal structures of palladium and rhodium complexes are presented. Wit h rhodium, the ligands show a chelating coordination mode.