Catalytic Hydrogenations with Cationic Heteroleptic Copper(I)/N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes

A new heteroleptic cationic copper(I) complex bearing two N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands has been prepared. In situ, a Cu-O bond can be generated which enables the complex to catalytically activate H (2) . The resulting complex shows activity in catalytic chemo- and stereoselective alkyne semihydrogenations as well as conjugate reductions of enones.