Synthesis of Homoleptic and Heteroleptic Bis-N-heterocylic Carbene Group 11 Complexes

A straightforward synthetic route has been developed permitting the formation of homoleptic and heteroleptic bis-N-heterocyclic carbene metal complexes. The methodology has proven efficient for all group 11 members. These complexes are easily synthesized using [M(Cl)(NHC)] with different NHC salts in the presence of inexpensive bases such as sodium hydroxide. These systems were fully characterized and displayed high stability even in the presence of light.