Platinum(II) complexes with amide-functionalized NHC ligands

We present the synthesis of neutral, amide-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) platinum(II) complexes with dianionic -N-C-NHC-C-NHC-N- (NC*C*N) tetradentate ligands. The imidazolium- and bisimidazolium bromide NHC ligand precursors with amide functionality in the side chain are reported together with the corresponding biscarbene bromido complexes and, after deprotonation, of the neutral NHC complexes without counterions. All compounds have been thoroughly characterized by standard techniques. (C) 2012 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.