Synthesis and characterization of mono(carbene) complexes of copper and crystal structure of a linear thiazolinylidene compound

A series of neutral copper(I) mono(carbene) complexes was synthesized by the alkylation of thiazolyl or imidazolyl-cuprates. The cuprates were prepared from CuCl or Cul and 4-methylthiazolyl-, benzothiazol-2-yl-, 1-methylimidazolyl- or 1-methylbenzoimidazol-2-yl-lithium. The crystal structure of [CuCl{[graphic omitted]}] has been determined and shows a linear, monomeric thiazolinylidene copper chloride complex with a copper–carbene carbon bond length of 1.868(6)A.