Synthesis, characterization and catalytic properties of cationic N-heterocyclic carbene silver complexes

Three new dibenzimidazolium salts bridged by 2-methylenepropane-1,3-diyl group were synthesized. Their dinuclear N-heterocyclic carbene Ag(I) complexes were prepared by the reactions of these salts with Ag(2)O. The structures of the synthesized compounds were defined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), elemental analysis, and LC-MSMS (for complexes) techniques. Stability of the silver complexes was confirmed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Catalytic activities of Ag(I) compounds were tested for three-component coupling reaction of some aldehydes, amines, and phenylacetylene.