The synthesis of a benzdiimidazolylidene ligand was researched using 1,2,4,5-benzenetetramine, then 2,4,6-trimethylaniline and 2,5-dihydroxy-1, 4-benzoquinone as the starting materials. The first attempted synthesis involved two steps, a ring closure step, and an alkylation step. The second method involved a ring closure reaction with a substituted amine, such that no alkylation step would be necessary. The synthesis of new conjugated organometallic compounds and the study of their physical and chemical properties will give further insight as to their possible applications in the newly developing field of molecular electronics. Here they might be employed as switches and jumper cables in nanocircuits. The results of reactions performed indicated that mixtures of various oxidation states of the desired compound had been formed. We propose that controlled oxidation or reduction of these mixtures may help to achieve the desired ligand. Further investigation will be needed to determine this, as well as more efficient ways of synthesizing the benzdiimidazolylidene ligand

Réna Farquhar, Sripriya K. Seetharaman and Michael B. Sponsler
Contribution from the Department of Chemistry, Center of Science and Techonology, Syracuse University, New York 13244-4100