NHC-Adducts of Cyclopentadienyl-Substituted Alanes

The mono- and bis-iodo-substituted NHC-stabilized alanes (NHC) ⋅ AlH₂I and (NHC) ⋅ AlHI₂ offer a convenient entry for further substitution reactions at aluminum. Reactions of (NHC) ⋅ AlH₂I 1 – 4 with one equivalent of NaCp afforded the adducts (NHC) ⋅ AlH₂Cp 9 – 12 (NHC=Me₂Im^Me ( 9 ), iPr₂Im^Me ( 10 ), iPr₂Im ( 11 ), Dipp₂Im ( 12 )). Alane adducts with two Cp substituents (NHC) ⋅ AlHCp₂ 13 – 16 (NHC=Me₂Im^Me ( 13 ), iPr₂Im^Me ( 14 ), iPr₂Im ( 15 ), Dipp₂Im ( 16 )) were prepared by the analogous reaction of (NHC) ⋅ AlHI₂ 5 – 8 using two equivalents of NaCp. The unusual dimeric adducts ((NHC) ⋅ AlH₂Cp ⋅ CpMgI)₂ 17 – 19 (NHC=Me₂Im^Me ( 17 ), iPr₂Im^Me ( 18 ), iPr₂Im ( 19 )) were obtained from the reaction of 1 – 3 with MgCp₂.     

Halogen Complexes of Anionic N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

The lithium complexes [(WCA-NHC)Li(toluene)] of anionic N-heterocyclic carbenes with a weakly coordinating anionic borate moiety (WCA-NHC) reacted with iodine, bromine, or CCl₄ to afford the zwitterionic 2-halogenoimidazolium borates (WCA-NHC)X (X=I, Br, Cl; WCA=B(C₆F₅)₃, B{3,5-C₆H₃(CF₃)₂}₃; NHC=IDipp=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene, or NHC=IMes=1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene). The iodine derivative (WCA-IDipp)I (WCA=B(C₆F₅)₃) formed several complexes of the type (WCA-IDipp)I ⋅ L (L=C₆H₅Cl, C₆H₅Me, CH₃CN, THF, ONMe₃), revealing its ability to act as an efficient halogen bond donor, which was also exploited for the preparation of hypervalent bis(carbene)iodine(I) complexes of the type [(WCA-IDipp)I(NHC)] and [PPh₄][(WCA-IDipp)I(WCA-NHC)] (NHC=IDipp, IMes). The corresponding bromine complex [PPh₄][(WCA-IDipp)₂Br] was isolated as a rare example of a hypervalent (10-Br-2) system. DFT calculations reveal that London dispersion contributes significantly to the stability of the bis(carbene)halogen(I) complexes, and the bonding was further analyzed by quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analysis.     

Controlled ring‐opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate and access to PTMC‐PLA block copolymers mediated by well‐defined N‐heterocyclic carbene zinc alkoxides

Four novel Zinc–NHC alkyl/alkoxide/chloride complexes ( 4 , 5 , 9 and 9′ ) were readily prepared and fully characterized, including X‐ray diffraction crystallography for 5 and 9′ . The reaction of N‐methyl‐N′‐butyl imidazolium chloride ( 3.HCl ) with ZnEt₂ (2 equiv.) afforded the corresponding [(C_NHC)ZnCl(Et)] complex ( 4 ) via a protonolysis reaction, as deduced from NMR data. The alcoholysis of 4 with BnOH led to quantitative formation of the dinuclear Zn(II) alkoxide species [(C_NHC)ZnCl(OBn)]₂ ( 5 ), as confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The NMR data are in agreement with species 5 retaining its dimeric structure in solution at room temperature. The protonolysis reaction of N‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐N′‐ethyl methyl ether imidazolium chloride ( 8.HCl ) with ZnEt₂ (2 equiv.) yielded the [(C_NHC)ZnCl(Et)] species 9 . The latter was found to be reactive with CH₂Cl₂ in solution and to cleanly convert to the corresponding Zn(II) dichloride [(C_NHC)ZnCl₂]₂ ( 9′ ), whose molecular structure was also elucidated using X‐ray diffractometry. Unlike Zn(II)–NHC alkoxide species 1 and 2 , which contain a NHC flanked with an additional N‐functional group (i.e. thioether and ether, respectively), the Zn(II) alkoxide species 5 incorporates a monodentate NHC ligand. The Zn(II) complexes 1 , 2 and 5 were tested in the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of trimethylene carbonate (TMC). All three species are effective initiators for the controlled ROP of trimethylene carbonate, resulting in the production of narrow disperse PTMC material. Initiator 1 (incorporating a thioether moiety) was found to perform best in the ROP of TMC. Notably, the latter also readily undergoes the sequential ROP of TMC and rac‐LA in the presence of a chain‐transfer agent, leading to well‐defined and high‐molecular‐weight PTMC/PLA block copolymers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploring the Limits of π-Acid Catalysis Using Strongly Electrophilic Main Group Metal Complexes: The Case of Zinc and Aluminium

The catalytic activity of cationic NHC-Zn^II and NHC-Al^III (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes in reactions that require the electrophilic activation of soft C−C π bonds has been studied. The former proved able to act as a soft π-Lewis acid in a variety of transformations. The benefit of the bulky IPr NHC ligand was demonstrated by comparison with simple ZnX₂ salts. The tested NHC-Al^III catalyst is not able to activate C−C π bonds but simple AlX₂⁺ ions were found potent in some cases.     

Catalytic activity and facile recovery of a cyclometalated N‐heterocyclic carbene palladium(II) complex immobilized by non‐covalent interactions on reduced graphene oxide

The growing concern about the potentially adverse effects of the production of chemical compounds on the sustainable development of the environment has led to a great deal of efforts to search for low‐cost and environmentally friendly catalytic systems. A pyrene‐tagged N‐heterocyclic carbene palladacycle complex ([Pd{(C,N)C₆H₄CH₂NH(Et)}(Imd‐P)Br]) was prepared by reacting imidazolium salt with dimer ([Pd₂{(C,N)C₆H₄CH₂NH(Et)}₂(μ‐OAc)₂]). Then, it was immobilized onto the surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) via π–π stacking forces. The hybrid compound ((NHC)Pd‐rGO) was made in a one‐step process. Various techniques were employed to characterize the compound. In addition, computational studies were used to verify the interaction between the Pd complex and rGO. The catalytic activity of the molecular complex and hybrid material was evaluated in both Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions and reduction of p‐nitrophenol to p‐aminophenol. The catalytic activity of the hybrid material was enhanced in comparison with the corresponding homogeneous analogue. Thus, rGO seems to play a significant role in catalytic activity. Hot filtration experiments show the heterogeneous nature of the catalyst resulting from the strong interaction between pyrene and graphene. The hybrid (NHC)Pd‐rGO material could be recycled up to six times with no decrease in catalytic activity.     

Unsymmetrical Pincer‐Type Ruthenium Complex Containing β‐Protic Pyrazole and N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Arms: Comparison of Brønsted Acidity of NH Groups in Second Coordination Sphere

A reaction of a 2‐(imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl‐6‐(pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine with [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] resulted in tautomerization of the imidazole unit to afford the unsymmetrical pincer‐type ruthenium complex 2 containing a protic pyrazole and N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) arms. Deprotonation of 2 with one equivalent of a base led to the formation of the NHC–pyrazolato complex 3 , indicating that the protic NHC arm is less acidic. When 2 was treated with two equivalents of a base under H₂ or in 2‐propanol, the hydrido complex 4 containing protic NHC and pyrazolato groups was obtained through metal–ligand cooperation.     

Mechanochemical synthesis of platinum(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">IV</Emphasis>) complexes with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-heterocyclic carbenes

A new method for the synthesis of complexes Pt^IV(NHC)X₄L (NHC is N-heterocyclic carbene of imidazole or benzimidazole series; X = Cl, Br; L is N-coordinated pyridine or NHC) based on mechanochemical oxidation of complexes Pt^II(NHC)X₂L with dichloroiodobenzene (PhICl₂) or pyridinium hydrobromide perbromide (PyHBr₃) was proposed. Mechanochemical activation led to reduction in the synthesis time and increase in the selectivity of halogenation and yields of the target Pt^IV complexes (74–98%) as compared to the reaction in solutions.     

N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of Zn(II): synthesis, X-ray structures and reactivity

The synthesis of six novel zinc (II) mono(N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes is described. 1,3-Bis(mesityl)-imidazol-2-ylidene was reacted with the zinc salts ZnX₂ (X=Cl, CH₃COO, PhCOO, and PhCH₂COO) to yield the corresponding monomeric Zn-NHC complex ZnCl₂(NHC)(THF) (1) and dimeric [Zn(OOCCH₃)₂(NHC)]₂ (2), [Zn(OOCPh)₂(NHC)]₂ (3), [Zn(OOCCH₂Ph)₂(NHC)]₂ (4) (NHC=1,3-bis(mesityl)-imidazol-2-ylidene). Reaction of 1 with 2 equivalents of silver trifluoromethanesulfonate yielded monomeric Zn(O₃SCF₃)₂(NHC)(THF) (5), reaction of 1 with sodium {[R(+)-α-2-(1-phenyl-ethylimino)-methyl]-phenolate} yielded monomeric ZnCl(OC₆H₄-2-CHN(CHPhCH₃)(NHC) (6). Compounds 1, 4-6 were structurally characterized by X-ray analysis. Selected compounds were investigated for their activity in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide with cyclohexene oxide as well as in the ring-opening polymerization of cyclohexene oxide and ε-caprolactone.     

Phenylimidorhenium(V) Complexes with 1,3‐Diethyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ ylidene Ligands

The phenylimidorhenium(V) complexes [Re(NPh)X₃(PPh₃)₂] (X = Cl, Br) react with the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) 1,3‐diethyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ylidene (L^Et) under formation of the stable rhenium(V) complex cations [Re(NPh)X(L^Et)₄]²⁺ (X = Cl, Br), which can be isolated as their chloride or [PF₆]^? salts. The compounds are remarkably stable against air, moisture and ligand exchange. The hydroxo species [Re(NPh)(OH)(L^Et)₄]²⁺ is formed when moist solvents are used during the synthesis. The rhenium atoms in all three complexes are coordinated in a distorted octahedral fashion with the four NHC ligands in equatorial planes of the molecules. The Re–C(carbene) bond lengths between 2.171(8) and 2.221(3) Å indicate mainly σ‐bonding between the NHC ligand and the electron deficient d² metal atoms. Attempts to prepare analogous phenylimido complexes from [Re(NPh)Cl₃(PPh₃)₂] and 1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ylidene (L^i?Pr) led to a cleavage of the rhenium‐nitrogen multiple bond and the formation of the dioxo complex [ReO₂(L^i?Pr)₄]⁺.     

Facile Syntheses of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Precursors through I2‐ or NIS‐Promoted Amidiniumation of N‐Alkenyl Formamidines

We have developed I₂‐ or N‐iodosuccinimide (NIS)‐mediated amidiniumation of N‐alkenyl formamidines for the syntheses of cyclic formamidinium salts, some of which could be directly used as N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors. Treatment of iodine‐containing formamidinium salts with Al₂O₃ led to the formation of cyclic formamidinium salts with an unsaturated backbone. A rhodium(I) complex ligated by a representative NHC was prepared by the reaction of [Rh(cod)Cl]₂ (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) with the free carbene obtained in situ from deprotonation of the corresponding formamidinium salts. The NHCs prepared in situ can also react with S₈ to afford the corresponding thiones.     

Cleavage of a P=P Double Bond Mediated by N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

The reaction of the bulky diphosphenes (Rind)P=P(Rind) ( 1 ; Rind=1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7-octa-R-substituted s-hydrindacen-4-yl) with two molecules of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC; 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene) resulted in the quantitative formation of the NHC-bound phosphinidenes NHC→P(Rind) ( 2 ), along with the cleavage of the P=P double bond. The reaction times are dependent on the steric size of the Rind groups (11 days for 2 a (R=Et) and 2 h for 2 b (R=Et, Me) at room temperature). The mechanism for the double bond-breaking is proposed to proceed via the formation of the NHC-coordinated, highly polarized diphospehenes 3 as an intermediate. Approach of a second NHC to 3 induces P−P bond cleavage and P−C bond formation, which proceeds through a transition state with a large negative Gibbs energy change to afford the two molecules of 2 , thus being the rate-determining step of the overall reaction with the activation barriers of 80.4 for 2 a and 29.1 kJ mol⁻¹ for 2 b .     

Hydrogen and Halogen Bonding to Au(I) Fluorido Complexes

The hydrogen bonding in the Au(I) complex [Au(F ⋅ HF)(SPhos)] (SPhos=dicyclohexyl(2’,6’-dimethoxy[1,1’-biphenyl]-2-yl)phosphane) ( 1 a ⋅ HF) has been analysed by IR and NMR measurements, revealing the formation of an unsymmetrical bifluoride moiety. The data are in excellent agreement with DFT calculations. Comparisons to analogous complexes bearing NHC (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands demonstrated a comparable bonding situation. The identity of the halogen bond in the compound [Au(F ⋅ IC₆F₅)(SPhos)] ( 1 a ⋅ IC₆F₅) in CD₂Cl₂ has been estimated, and van't Hoff data for the equilibrium between [Au(F)(SPhos)] ( 1 a ) and IC₆F₅ with [Au(F ⋅ IC₆F₅)(SPhos)] are ΔH⁰=−8.1(3) kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔS⁰=−36(1) J (mol K)⁻¹. The latter are also in agreement with DFT calculations. For all calculations, comparisons between an explicit and implicit solvent model were drawn. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies were performed for [Au(F ⋅ 2IC₆F₅)(BrettPhos)] ⋅ 2IC₆F₅ (BrettPhos=2-(dicyclohexylphosphino)-3,6-dimethoxy-2’,4’,6’-triisopropyl-1,1’-biphenyl) ( 1 b ⋅ 4IC₆F₅) demonstrating the presence of halogen bonds to Au(I) fluorido complexes in the solid state.     

Fast Olefin Metathesis at Low Catalyst Loading

Reactions of the Grubbs 3rd generation complexes [RuCl₂(NHC)(Ind)(Py)] (N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)=1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenylimidazolin)‐2‐ylidene (SIMes), 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenylimidazolin)‐2‐ylidene (SIPr), or 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenylimidazol)‐2‐ylidene (IPr); Ind=3‐phenylindenylid‐1‐ene, Py=pyridine) with 2‐ethenyl‐N‐alkylaniline (alkyl=Me, Et) result in the formation of the new N‐Grubbs–Hoveyda‐type complexes 5 (NHC=SIMes, alkyl=Me), 6 (SIMes, Et), 7 (IPr, Me), 8 (SIPr, Me), and 9 (SIPr, Et) with N‐chelating benzylidene ligands in yields of 50–75 %. Compared to their respective, conventional, O‐Grubbs–Hoveyda complexes, the new complexes are characterized by fast catalyst activation, which translates into fast and efficient ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) reactivity. Catalyst loadings of 15–150 ppm (0.0015–0.015 mol %) are sufficient for the conversion of a wide range of diolefinic substrates into the respective RCM products after 15 min at 50 °C in toluene; compounds 8 and 9 are the most catalytically active complexes. The use of complex 8 in RCM reactions enables the formation of N‐protected 2,5‐dihydropyrroles with turnover numbers (TONs) of up to 58 000 and turnover frequencies (TOFs) of up to 232 000 h^?1; the use of the N‐protected 1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridines proceeds with TONs of up to 37 000 and TOFs of up to 147 000 h^?1; and the use of the N‐protected 2,3,6,7‐tetrahydroazepines proceeds with TONs of up to 19 000 and TOFs of up to 76 000 h^?1, with yields for these reactions ranging from 83–92 %.     

SiSi Double Bonds: Synthesis of an NHC‐Stabilized Disilavinylidene

An efficient two‐step synthesis of the first NHC‐stabilized disilavinylidene (Z)‐(SIdipp)SiSi(Br)Tbb ( 2 ; SIdipp=C[N(C₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂)CH₂]₂, Tbb=C₆H₂‐2,6‐[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₂‐4‐tBu, NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) is reported. The first step of the procedure involved a 2:1 reaction of SiBr₂(SIdipp) with the 1,2‐dibromodisilene (E)‐Tbb(Br)SiSi(Br)Tbb at 100 °C, which afforded selectively an unprecedented NHC‐stabilized bromo(silyl)silylene, namely SiBr(SiBr₂Tbb)(SIdipp) ( 1 ). Alternatively, compound 1 could be obtained from the 2:1 reaction of SiBr₂(SIdipp) with LiTbb at low temperature. 1 was then selectively reduced with C₈K to give the NHC‐stabilized disilavinylidene 2 . Both low‐valent silicon compounds were comprehensively characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. Additionally, the electronic structure of 2 was studied by various quantum‐chemical methods.     

Alcohol‐Induced C−N Bond Cleavage of Cyclometalated N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands with a Methylene‐Linked Pendant Imidazolium Ring

Reaction of the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl rhodium iodide dimer [Cp*RhI₂]₂ with 1,1′‐diphenyl‐3,3′‐methylenediimidazolium diiodide in non‐alcohol solvents, in the presence of base, led to the formation of bis‐carbene complex [Cp*Rh(bis‐NHC)I]I (bis‐NHC=1,1′‐diphenyl‐4,4′‐methylenediimidazoline‐5,5′‐diylidene). In contrast, when employing alcohols as the solvent in the same reaction, cleavage of a methylene C?N bond is observed, affording ether‐functionalized (cyclometalated) carbene ligands coordinated to the metal center and the concomitant formation of complexes with a coordinated imidazole ligand. Studies employing other 1,1′‐diimidazolium salts indicate that the cyclometalation step is a prerequisite for the activation/scission of the C?N bond and, based on additional experimental data, a S_N2 mechanism for the reaction is tentatively proposed.     

Elevated Catalytic Activity of Ruthenium(II)–Porphyrin‐Catalyzed Carbene/Nitrene Transfer and Insertion Reactions with N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

Bis(NHC)ruthenium(II)–porphyrin complexes were designed, synthesized, and characterized. Owing to the strong donor strength of axial NHC ligands in stabilizing the trans M?CRR′/M?NR moiety, these complexes showed unprecedently high catalytic activity towards alkene cyclopropanation, carbene C? H, N? H, S? H, and O? H insertion, alkene aziridination, and nitrene C? H insertion with turnover frequencies up to 1950 min^?1. The use of chiral [Ru(D₄‐Por)(BIMe)₂] ( 1 g ) as a catalyst led to highly enantioselective carbene/nitrene transfer and insertion reactions with up to 98 % ee. Carbene modification of the N terminus of peptides at 37 °C was possible. DFT calculations revealed that the trans axial NHC ligand facilitates the decomposition of diazo compounds by stabilizing the metal–carbene reaction intermediate.     

NHC→SiCl4: An Ambivalent Carbene‐Transfer Reagent

The addition of BCl₃ to the carbene‐transfer reagent NHC→SiCl₄ (NHC=1,3‐dimethylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene) gave the tetra‐ and pentacoordinate trichlorosilicon(IV) cations [(NHC)SiCl₃]⁺ and [(NHC)₂SiCl₃]⁺ with tetrachloroborate as counterion. This is in contrast to previous reactions, in which NHC→SiCl₄ served as a transfer reagent for the NHC ligand. The addition of BF₃ ? OEt₂, on the other hand, gave NHC→BF₃ as the product of NHC transfer. In addition, the highly Lewis acidic bis(pentafluoroethyl)silane (C₂F₅)₂SiCl₂ was treated with NHC→SiCl₄. In acetonitrile, the cationic silicon(IV) complexes [(NHC)SiCl₃]⁺ and [(NHC)₂SiCl₃]⁺ were detected with [(C₂F₅)SiCl₃]^? as counterion. A similar result was already reported for the reaction of NHC→SiCl₄ with (C₂F₅)₂SiH₂, which gave [(NHC)₂SiCl₂H][(C₂F₅)SiCl₃]. If the reaction medium was changed to dichloromethane, the products of carbene transfer, NHC→Si(C₂F₅)₂Cl₂ and NHC→Si(C₂F₅)₂ClH, respectively, were obtained instead. The formation of the latter species is a result of chloride/hydride metathesis. These compounds may serve as valuable precursors for electron‐poor silylenes. Furthermore, the reactivity of NHC→SiCl₄ towards phosphines is discussed. The carbene complex NHC→PCl₃ shows similar reactivity to NHC→SiCl₄, and may even serve as a carbene‐transfer reagent as well.     

C−N Bond Activation and Ring Opening of a Saturated N-Heterocyclic Carbene by Lateral Alkali-Metal-Mediated Metalation

Combining alkali-metal-mediated metalation (AMMM) and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) chemistry, a novel C−N bond activation and ring-opening process is described for these increasingly important NHC molecules, which are generally considered robust ancillary ligands. Here, mechanistic investigations on reactions of saturated NHC SIMes ( SIMes =[:C{N(2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂)CH₂}₂]) with Group 1 alkyl bases suggest this destructive process is triggered by lateral metalation of the carbene. Exploiting co-complexation and trans-metal-trapping strategies with lower polarity organometallic reagents (Mg(CH₂SiMe₃)₂ and Al(TMP)iBu₂), key intermediates in this process have been isolated and structurally defined.     

Accelerating the insertion reactions of (NHC)Cu–H via remote ligand functionalization

Most ligand designs for reactions catalyzed by (NHC)Cu–H (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene ligand) have focused on introducing steric bulk near the Cu center. Here, we evaluate the effect of remote ligand modification in a series of [(NHC)CuH]₂ in which the para substituent (R) on the N-aryl groups of the NHC is Me, Et, ^tBu, OMe or Cl. Although the R group is distant (6 bonds away) from the reactive Cu center, the complexes have different spectroscopic signatures. Kinetics studies of the insertion of ketone, aldimine, alkyne, and unactivated α-olefin substrates reveal that Cu–H complexes with bulky or electron-rich R groups undergo faster substrate insertion. The predominant cause of this phenomenon is destabilization of the [(NHC)CuH]₂ dimer relative to the (NHC)Cu–H monomer, resulting in faster formation of Cu–H monomer. These findings indicate that remote functionalization of NHCs is a compelling strategy for accelerating the rate of substrate insertion with Cu–H species.

Remote modification of an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand with bulky or electron-rich groups in [(NHC)Cu(μ-H)]₂ increases the rate of substrate insertion, which kinetics studies suggest arises from changes in the Cu–H monomer–dimer equilibrium.     

Aluminum(III) Cations [(NHC) ⋅ AlMes2]+: Synthesis,Characterization, and Application in FLP-Chemistry

The three-coordinate aluminum cations ligated by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) [(NHC) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ (NHC=IMe^Me 4 , IiPr^Me 5 , IiPr 6 , Mes=2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) were prepared via hydride abstraction of the alanes (NHC) ⋅ AlHMes₂ (NHC=IMe^Me 1 , IiPr^Me 2 , IiPr 3 ) using [Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ in toluene as hydride acceptor. If this reaction was performed in diethyl ether, the corresponding four-coordinate aluminum etherate cations [(NHC) ⋅ AlMes₂(OEt₂)]⁺ [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ 7 – 9 (NHC=IMe^Me 7 , IiPr^Me 8 , IiPr 9 ) were isolated. According to a theoretical and experimental assessment of the Lewis-acidity of the [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺ cation is the acidity larger than that of B(C₆F₅)₃ and of similar magnitude as reported for Al(C₆F₅)₃. The reaction of [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ 4 with the sterically less demanding, basic phosphine PMe₃ afforded a mixed NHC/phosphine stabilized cation [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂(PMe₃)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ 10 . Equimolar mixtures of 4 and the sterically more demanding PCy₃ gave a frustrated Lewis-pair (FLP), i.e., [(IMe^Me) ⋅ AlMes₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻/PCy₃ FLP-11 , which reacts with small molecules such as CO₂, ethene, and 2-butyne.