Synthesis of N-Heterocylic Carbene-Containing Metal Complexes from 2-(Pentafluorophenyl)imidazolidines

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-containing metal complexes are prepared through a simple, base-free method involving the decomposition of 2-(pentafluorophenyl)imidazolidines under mild thermolytic conditions. Ruthenium, iridium, and rhodium complexes containing NHC ligands with different electronic and steric parameters are reported.