NHC-based submicroplatforms for anchoring transition metals

The preparation of new submicroplatforms for the potential development of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based heterogeneous catalysts, including copper and palladium, by anchoring the diverse transition-metal complexes, is presented. The NHC coordination mode can be generated through the abstraction of protons from desubstituted imidazolium salts. One of the simplest methods for the preparation of these salts involves the reaction of monosubstituted neutral imidazole derivatives with alkyl or aryl halides. The complexation of copper and palladium to submicrospheres was performed by two well-established methods. The copper and palladium could be incorporated into submicrospheres by either transmetalation or direct complexation with the submicrospheres. They are also expected to evidence superior dispersion capability to the conventional solid supports because of their the nanosize effect.