The heterocyclic compound below is a remarkably stable carbene often used as a ligand in organometallic chemistry. Explain the stability of this particular carbene.

• A. The nitrogen in the ring makes the carbene carbon a triplet.
• B. The double bond in the ring causes the carbene carbon to gain two more electrons.
• C. The nitrogen in the ring stabilizes the carbene carbon inductively and mesomerically.
• D. The double bond in the ring causes the carbene carbon to lower the energy of its HOMO.

Answer: (C)