Ammonia N–H activation by a N,N′-diamidocarbene

The synthesis and characterization of N,N′-dimesityl-4,6-diketo-5,5-dimethylpyrimidin-2-ylidene is reported; this crystalline N,N′-diamidocarbene was found to split ammonia and engage in other reactions not exhibited by typical N-heterocyclic carbenes.