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

Reaction of an alpha-diimine, {MesN=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(=IMes)C(H)NMes}] rather than the expected hydroalumination product.