The synthesis of a dichloroalane complex and its reaction with an α-diimine

Reaction of an α-diimine, {MesN[double bond, length as m-dash]CH}2 (Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl), with the dichloroalane [AlCl2H(IMes)] (IMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) affords an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) transfer complex [AlCl2{MesNC([double bond, length as m-dash]IMes)C(H)NMes}] rather than the expected hydroalumination product.