Hidden Carbenes: NHC-Al Species at the Al₂O₃-Ionic Liquid Interface.

ABSTRACT: The modification of the surface chemistry of heterogeneous catalysts/supports alters their electronic and catalytic properties, particularly through the incorporation of a monolayer of sophisticated N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs). However, the formation of aluminum N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC-Al) goes unrecognized or remains unidentified when imidazolium-based ionic liquids are supported on solids (SILPs). In this work, we identified the formation of NHC-Al species upon the grafting of imidazolium-based ILs onto neutral Al₂O₃. The optimal geometry of the imidazolium cations in these SILPs adopts a tilted orientation, exhibiting an upright binding mode, akin to self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). This configuration enables direct interaction of the electron-rich N-C-N mo

SUBMITTER: Qadir MI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12457999 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature