Oxidative Addition of Imidazolium Salts to Ni⁰ and Pd⁰: Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Unusually Stable Metal–Hydride Complexes

CH activation of imidazolium salts by coordinatively unsaturated low-valent Ni and Pd complexes occurs under mild conditions. Surprisingly stable hydrido–metal–N-heterocyclic carbene complexes were isolated (see scheme), which demonstrates the ease with which imidazolium-based ionic liquids may react with transition-metal complexes during catalysis. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2004/z53409_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.