Protected N-heterocyclic carbenes as latent organocatalysts for the low-temperature curing of anhydride-hardened epoxy resins

•Fully latent epoxy resins based on CO2-protected N-heterocyclic carbenes are presented.•They show fast curing at low reaction temperature, pot life up to days.•1,3-Dimethylimidazolium-2-carboxylate is robust but highly reactive.•A screening of several epoxy compounds and 14 anhydrides is presented.•More than 15 different systems allow for homogeneous mixture without any additives.•One-component mixtures were investigated by in-situ DSC and rheology measurements.•Aliphatic epoxides and low-melting/liquid anhydrides polymerize fastest.•Aliphatic epoxides and low-melting/liquid anhydrides can be sprayed.•Full curing within minutes is achieved at T=100–120°C.