A stable N-heterocyclic carbene with a diboron backbone

The synthesis of a novel five-membered inorganic ring, a stable N-heterocyclic carbene with a diboron backbone, is reported. A pentacarbonyltungsten complex containing the new carbene is also described. Spectroscopic evidence indicates that the sterically encumbered carbene is a better sigma-donor than classical N-heterocyclic analogues, demonstrating the significant influence of the inorganic backbone on the coordinating properties of the carbon ligand. Crystal structures have been determined for an iminium precursor, the free carbene, and the tungsten complex.