Ruthenium(II)-CNC pincer complexes with protic-NHCs: syntheses, spectroelectrochemical profiling, and catalytic applications

Abstract

In recent years, protic N-heterocyclic carbenes (pNHCs) have emerged as a distinctive and versatile class of ligands in transition metal chemistry. Their ability to act simultaneously as strong σ-donors and dynamic proton-responsive sites has opened new avenues for developing catalysts capable of metal–ligand cooperative transformations. When incorporated into pincer frameworks, pNHCs provide enhanced structural rigidity and electronic tunability, offering precise control over the metal coordination environment and facilitating a range of bond activation processes. This thesis explores the synthesis and characterization of Ru(II) complexes featuring pNHC pincer ligand and examines their catalytic performance in key transformations.