N-heterocyclic carbene complexes, their preparation and use

BACKGROUND OF THE I NVENTION The present invention relates to N-heterocyclic carbene complexes, a method for their preparation and their use as catalysts.

DESCRI PTION OF THE RELATED ART In 1968 H.W. Wanzlick and K. Ofele independently reported the first direct synthesis of metal complexes with N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) as ligands. At that time, no one would have been able to predict the role these ligands would play a few decades later. Especially the NHC complexes of Pd(l l) find broad application in modern organic and organometallic chemistry. The advantages of NHCs like thermal stability, low toxicity, insensitivity against oxygen over other ligands like phosphanes have allowed the application of NHC complexes in a number of different coupling reactions, e.g. Heck, Sonogashira, Suzuki-Miyaura, Stille, Hartwig-Buchwald coupling, and others. In particular, the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction today plays an important role due to the stability, availability and low toxicity of the employed boronic acids.

In addition to the use in catalysis, NHC complexes are also useful in many other fields like medical applications, nanoparticles, supramolecular chemistry, self-assembly, photochemistry, liquid crystals, polymerisation and electronically active materials. Besides the great number of advantages of these special ligands, the synthesis of saturated NHC complexes remains challenging. A. J. Arduengo, R. Krafczyk and R. Schmutzler describe in Tetrahedron 1999, 55, 14523-14534 the synthesis of imidazoly- lidenes, imidazolinylidenes and imidazolidines starting from glyoxal via the corresponding diimines and diamine dihydrochlorides. Subsequently, the diamine dihydrochlorides are converted into the corresponding imidazolinium salts by reaction with an ortho formate as Ci building block. Reduction of the imidazolinium salts with lithium aluminium hydride leads to imidazolidines, whereas deprotonation with potassium hydride leads to the corresponding imidazolin-2-ylidenes. Nevertheless, this methodology does in particular not allow the formation of unsymmetrically substituted NHCs.

B. A. Bhanu Prasad and S. R. Gilbertson describe in Org. Lett. 2009, 1 1 , 3710-3713 a one-pot synthesis of unsymmetrical NHC ligands from N-(2-iodoethyl)arylamine salts. This route is limited to the formation of NHCs with certain substituents. It is known, to employ isonitrile metal complexes for the formation of either acyclic or cyclic carbenes.

K. Bartel and W. P. Fehlhammer describe in Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 1974, 13, 599-600 the formation of oxazolidinylidene and perhydrooxazinylidene complexes of Pd, Pt and Au by reaction of 2-, and 3-hydroxyalkyl isocyanides with metal compounds.

U. Plaia and W. P. Fehlhammer describe in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1985, 107, 2171 -2172 the preparation of hexakis(oxazolidin-2-ylidene)cobalt(lll) and - rhodium(lll).

M. Tamm and F. E. Hahn describe in Coord. Chem. Rev. 1999, 182, 175-209 the formation of carben complexes from coordinated β-functional phenyl isocyanides.

R. A. Michelin, L. Zanotto, D. Braga, P. Sabatino and R. J. Angelici describe in Inorg. Chem. 1988, 27, 85-92 the synthesis of cyclic aminooxycarbene complexes of Pt(ll) via a cyclization reaction of isocyanide complexes with 2-bromoethanol.

I. Yu, C. J. Wallis, B. O. Patrick, P. L. Diaconescu and P. Mehrkhodavandi in doi:10.1021/om100841j reported a remotely related reaction, using a primary amine and a strain-activated isonitrile/phosphane chelate on iron.

R. A. Michelin, L. Zanotto, D. Braga, P. Sabatino and R. J. Angelici describe in Inorg. Chem. 1988, 27, 93-99 the synthesis of cyclic diaminocarbene complexes of Pd(ll) and Pt(ll) via a cyclization reaction of isocyanide complexes with 2-bromoethylamine.

R. A. Michelin, A. J. L. Pombeiro and M. F. C. Guedes da Silva report in Coord. Chem. Rev. 2001 , 218, 75-1 12 on aminocarbene complexes derived from nucleophilic addition to isocyanide ligands. The method described in the tree last-mentioned documents delivers NHCs that are unsubstituted at one nitrogen atom and only alkyl substituents could be attached to this nitrogen atom subsequently. The synthesis of the free NHC often requires long organic-synthetic steps and the attachment of the thus synthesized NHC ligand to the metal is often difficult and requires additional synthetic effort.

There is still a great need for an effective method that allows the preparation Ν,Ν'- disubstituted NHC-complexes, and in particular unsymmetrically disubstituted NHC- complexes. The metal-NHC-complexes should be air-stable and easy to handle. It has now been found that, surprisingly, this object is achieved by reaction of substituted co-haloalkylammonium salts or co-(alkoxycarbonyl)alkylammonium salts with conveniently accessible isonitrile complexes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process for preparing compounds of the general formula (I)

where n is = 0 or 1 , M is a metal atom containing group,

R ¹ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl,

R ² is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl, wherein R ¹ and R ² do not both stand for hydrogen,

R ³ and R ⁴ are independently selected from hydrogen and in each case unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, (monoalkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkoxy, cycloalkylthio, (monocycloalkyl)amino, (dicycloalkyl)amino, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkoxy, heterocycloalkylthio, (monoheterocycloalkyl)amino, (diheterocycloalkyl)amino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, (monoaryl)amino, (diaryl)amino, hetaryl, hetaryloxy, hetarylthio, (monohetaryl)amino and (dihetaryl)amino, or R ³ and R ⁴ together with the carbon atom to which they are bound are C=0, or R ³ is a group 0-R ^3a and

for n = 0 R ⁴ and R ⁷ stand for the bond equivalent of a double bond between the carbon atoms carrying R ⁴ and R ⁷ , respectively or for n = 1 R ⁴ and R ⁵ stand for the bond equivalent of a double bond between the carbon atoms carrying R ⁴ and R ⁵ , respectively, where

R ^3a is a group bound to the oxygen via a carbon atom, silicon atom, sulfur atom, phosphorus atom, boron atom or titanium atom,

, R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ are independently selected from hydrogen and in each case unsub- stituted or substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, (monoalkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkoxy, cycloalkylthio, (monocycloalkyl)amino, (dicycloal- kyl)amino, heterocycloalkyi, heterocycloalkoxy, heterocycloalkylthio, (monohet- erocycloalkyl)amino, (diheterocycloalkyl)amino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio,

(monoaryl)amino, (diaryl)amino, hetaryl, hetaryloxy, hetarylthio, (mono- hetaryl)amino and (dihetaryl)amino, wherein the two radicals R ² and R ⁸ may also form together with the N atom to which R ² is bound a 3- to 12-membered, unsubstituted or substituted nitrogen heterocycle which may optionally have 1 , 2 or 3 further heteroatoms or heteroatom containing groups independently selected from O, N, NR ^a and S as ring members, wherein R ^a is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl,

wherein if n = 0, R ⁴ and R ⁷ also may stand for the bond equivalent of a double bond between the carbon atoms carrying R ⁴ and R ⁷ , which comprises a1 ) the reaction of an isonitrile complex of the general formula (II)

R ¹ — N≡C-M (ii) in which R ¹ and M have one of the meanings given above, with a compound of the general formulae (III) or (Ilia)

(II I) (Ilia)

in which n, R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have one of the meanings given above,

Χ- is an anion equivalent, and

Y is a leaving group, or if R ³ and R ⁴ together with the carbon atom to which they are bound are C=0 then Y is a group 0-Y ^a , where Y ^a is unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted arylcarbonyl or unsubstituted or substituted alkyl carbonyl, and b1 ) optionally, if R ³ and R ⁴ together with the carbon atom to which they are bound are C=0, subjecting the product obtained in step a1 ) to a further reaction with a compound R ^3a -Z, where Z is a leaving group, in the presence of a base to obtain a compound of the formula (I) where R ³ is a group 0-R ^3a and for n = 0 R ⁴ and R ⁷ stand for the bond equivalent of a double bond between the carbon atoms bound to R ⁴ and R ⁷ or for n = 1 R ⁴ and R ⁵ stand for the bond equivalent of a double bond between the carbon atoms bound to R ⁴ and R ⁵ , or a2) the reaction of an isonitrile complex of the general formula II

R— N≡C-M (II)

where R ¹ and M have one of the meanings given above, with a compound of the general formula (V)

where

R ² , R ³ and R ⁸ have one of the meanings given above; and

R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ are independently selected from Ci-C4-alkyl or R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ together are linear C2-C4-alkylene which may be substituted by one or more C1-C4 alkyl radicals; to give an intermediate compound of the formula (VI)

and

the treatment of the intermediate compound of the formula (VI) with an acid, wherein in compound (I) obtained according to this variant n is 0, and R ⁴ and R ⁷ stand for the bond equivalent of a double bond between the carbon atoms carrying R ⁴ and R ⁷ ; or the reaction of an isonitrile complex of the general formula II

R ¹ — N=C-M (II)

where R ¹ and M have one of the meanings given above, with a compound of the general formulae (1Mb) or (III c)

(1Mb) (lllc)

where R ² , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have one of the meanings given above;

Χ- is an anion equivalent; and EWG is (C(O)R ¹⁴ , C(0)OR ¹⁴ , N0 ₂ , S(0)R ¹⁴ or S(0) ₂ R ¹⁴ , where R ¹⁴ is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyi or aryl; wherein in compound (I) obtained according to variant a3) n is 0 and R ³ is

In a first aspect, the invention provides a process for preparing compounds of the general formula (I)

where n is = 0 or 1 ,

M is a metal atom containing group,

R ¹ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl, R ² is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl, wherein R ¹ and R ² do not both stand for hydrogen,

R ³ and R ⁴ are independently selected from hydrogen and in each case unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, (monoalkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, cycloalkyi, cycloalkoxy, cycloalkylthio, (monocycloalkyl)amino, (dicycloalkyl)amino, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkoxy, heterocycloalkylthio, (monoheterocycloalkyl)amino, (diheterocycloalkyl)amino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, (monoaryl)amino, (diaryl)amino, hetaryl, hetaryloxy, hetarylthio, (monohetaryl)amino and (dihetaryl)amino, or R ³ and R ⁴ together with the carbon atom to which they are bound are C=0, or R ³ is a group 0-R ^3a and for n = 0, R ⁴ and R ⁷ stand for the bond equivalent of a double bond between the carbon atoms carrying R ⁴ and R ⁷ , respectively or R ³ is a group 0-R ^3a and for n = 1 , R ⁴ and R ⁵ stand for the bond equivalent of a double bond between the carbon atoms carrying R ⁴ and R ⁵ , respectively, where

R ^3a is a group bound to the oxygen via a carbon, silicon, sulfur, phosphorus, boron or titanium atom, R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ are independently selected from hydrogen and in each case unsub- stituted or substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, (monoalkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, cycloalkyi, cycloalkoxy, cycloalkylthio, (monocycloalkyl)amino, (dicycloal- kyl)amino, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkoxy, heterocycloalkylthio, (monohet- erocycloalkyl)amino, (diheterocycloalkyl)amino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio,

(monoaryl)amino, (diaryl)amino, hetaryl, hetaryloxy, hetarylthio, (mono- hetaryl)amino and (dihetaryl)amino, wherein the two radicals R ² and R ⁸ may also form together with the N atom to which R ² is bound and the carbon atom to which R ⁸ is bound a 3- to 12-membered, unsub- stituted or substituted nitrogen heterocycle which may optionally have 1 , 2 or 3 further heteroatoms or heteroatom containing groups independently selected from O, N, NR ^a and S as ring members, wherein R ^a is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyi or aryl, which comprises a1 ) the reaction of an isonitrile complex of the general formula (II)

R ¹ — N≡C-M (ii) in which R ¹ and M have one of the meanings given above, with a compound of the general formulae (III) or (Ilia)

(III) (Ilia)

in which n, R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have one of the meanings given above, Χ- is an anion equivalent, and Y is a leaving group, or if R ³ and R ⁴ together with the carbon atom to which they are bound are C=0 then Y is a group 0-Y ^a , where Y ^a is unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted arylcarbonyl or unsubstituted or substituted alkyl carbonyl, and b1 ) optionally, if R ³ and R ⁴ together with the carbon atom to which they are bound are C=0, subjecting the product obtained in step a1 ) to a further reaction with a compound R ^3a -Z, where Z is a leaving group, in the presence of a base to obtain a compound of the formula (I) where R ³ is a group 0-R ^3a and for n = 0 R ⁴ and R ⁷ stand for the bond equivalent of a double bond between the carbon atoms bound to R ⁴ and R ⁷ or for n = 1 R ⁴ and R ⁵ stand for the bond equivalent of a double bond between the carbon atoms bound to R ⁴ and R ⁵ .

According to a special embodiment, the process of the invention is used for the formation of unsymmetrically substituted compounds of the formula (I). In this embodiment, preferably R ¹ and R ² have different meanings.

A first variant is a process for preparing compounds of the formula (I-A.1 ) or

(I-A.2)

(I-A.2)

where

M, R ¹ , R ² , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have a meaning as defined above and in the following,

R ³ and R ⁴ are independently selected from hydrogen and in each case unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, (monoalkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, cycloalkyi, cycloalkoxy, cycloalkylthio, (monocycloalkyl)amino, (dicycloalkyl)amino, hetero- cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkoxy, heterocycloalkylthio, (monoheterocycloalkyl)amino, (diheterocycloalkyl)amino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, (monoaryl)amino, (diaryl)amino, hetaryl, hetaryloxy, hetarylthio, (monohetaryl)amino and (dihetaryl)amino, which comprises a1 ) the reaction of an isonitrile complex of the general formula (II)

R ¹ — N≡C-M (II) in which R ¹ and M have one of the meanings defined above and in the following, with a compound of the general formulae (III) or (Ilia)

(III) (Ilia)

in which n, R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have one of the meanings defined above and in the following, Χ- is an anion equivalent, and

Y is a leaving group. A second variant is a process for preparing compounds of the general formula (I-B.1 ) or (l-B.2)

(I-B.1 ) (I-B.2)

where

M, R ¹ , R ² , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have a meaning as defined above and in the following, which comprises a1 ) the reaction of an isonitrile complex of the general formula (II)

R ¹ — N≡C-M (II) in which R ¹ and M have one of the meanings as defined above and in the follow- ing, with a compound of the general formulae (III-B.1 ), (III-B.1. a), (III-B.2) or (lll-B.2.a)

(III-B.1 ) (|||-B.1.a) {\H-B2.a) in which

R ² , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have one of the meanings as defined above and in the following, X- is an anion equivalent, and Y ^a is unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, un- substituted or substituted arylcarbonyl or unsubstituted or substituted alkyl carbonyl.

Insofar the keto compounds of the general formula (I-B.1 ) or (I-B.2) are able to form tautomers, those tautomers are also part of the invention.

A third variant is a process for preparing compounds of the general formula (I-C.1 ) or (I-C.2)

where M, R ¹ , R ² , R ^3a , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have a meaning as defined above, which comprises a1 ) the reaction of an isonitrile complex of the general formula (II)

R ¹ — N≡C-M (II) in which R ¹ and M have one of the meanings given above, with a compound of the general formulae (III-C.1 ), (III-C.1 . a), (III-C.2) or (III-

C.2.a)

-C.1 ) (III-C.1. a) (III-C.2) (lll-C.2.a) in which R ² , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have one of the meanings given above, is an anion equivalent, and is unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, un- substituted or substituted arylcarbonyl or unsubstituted or substituted alkyl carbonyl, and b1 ) subjecting the product obtained in step a1 ) to a further reaction with a compound R ^3a -Z, where Z is a leaving group, in the presence of a base.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a process for preparing compounds of the general formula (l-E) (compounds of the formula I, where n is 0 and R ⁴ and R ⁷ stand for the bond equivalent of a double bond between the carbon atoms carrying R ⁴ and R ⁷ )

where M is a metal atom containing group,

R ¹ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl, R ² is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl, wherein R ¹ and R ² do not both stand for hydrogen, is selected from hydrogen and in each case unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, (monoalkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkoxy, cyclo- alkylthio, (monocycloalkyl)amino, (dicycloalkyl)amino, heterocycloalkyl, hetero- cycloalkoxy, heterocycloalkylthio, (monoheterocycloalkyl)amino, (diheterocycloal- kyl)amino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, (monoaryl)amino, (diaryl)amino, hetaryl, hetary- loxy, hetarylthio, (monohetaryl)amino and (dihetaryl)amino, R ⁸ is selected from hydrogen and in each case unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, (monoalkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, cycloalkyi, cycloalkoxy, cyclo- alkylthio, (monocycloalkyl)amino, (dicycloalkyl)amino, heterocycloalkyl, hetero- cycloalkoxy, heterocycloalkylthio, (monoheterocycloalkyl)amino, (diheterocycloal- kyl)amino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, (monoaryl)amino, (diaryl)amino, hetaryl, hetary- loxy, hetarylthio, (monohetaryl)amino and (dihetaryl)amino, wherein the two radicals R ² and R ⁸ may also form together with the N atom to which R ² is bound a 3- to 12-membered, unsubstituted or substituted nitrogen heterocycle which may optionally have 1 , 2 or 3 further heteroatoms or heteroatom containing groups independently selected from O, N, NR ^a and S as ring members, wherein R ^a is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyi or aryl which comprises a2) the reaction of an isonitrile complex of the general formula II

R ¹ — N=C— M (II) where R ¹ and M have one of the meanings given above, with a compound of the general formula (V)

where

R ² , R ³ and R ⁸ have one of the meanings given above; and

R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ are independently selected from Ci-C4-alkyl or R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ together are linear C2-C ₄ -alkylene which may be substituted by one or more, e.g. 1 ,

2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 C1-C4 alkyl radicals; to give an intermediate compound of the formula (VI)

in which R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁸ , R ¹⁰ , R ¹¹ and M are as defined above; and

b2) the treatment of the intermediate compound of the formula (VI) with an acid.

According to a special embodiment, the process of the invention according to the second aspect is used for the formation of unsymmetrically substituted compounds of the formula (l-E). In this embodiment, preferably R ¹ and R ² have different meanings.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a process for preparing compounds of the general formula l-F (compounds of the formula I, where n is 0 and R ³ is Chb-EWG)

where R ¹ , R ² , R ⁴ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ , M and EWG have one of the meanings given above, which comprises a3) the reaction of an isonitrile complex of the general formula II,

R ¹ — N=C-M (II)

where R ¹ and M have one of the meanings given above with a compound of the general formulae (Illb) or (III c)

(Illb) (Hie) where

EWG, R ² , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have one of the meanings given above; and

Χ- is an anion equivalent.

According to a special embodiment, the process of the invention according to the third aspect is used for the formation of unsymmetrically substituted compounds of the formula (l-F). In this embodiment, preferably R ¹ and R ² have different meanings. In a further aspect, the invention provides new compounds of the general formula (I).

In a further aspect, the invention provides new compounds of the general formula (VI).

In a further aspect, the invention provides a catalyst, comprising or consisting of a compound of the general formula (I).

In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of a compound of the general formula (I) as or in a catalyst employed in a C-C, C-O, C-N or C-H bond formation reaction.

According to a special embodiment, the compound of the general formula (I) is used in a C-C coupling reaction, selected from the Suzuki reaction, Heck reaction, Sonogashira reaction, Stille reaction, Hartwig-Buchwald reaction and Kumada reaction. According to a further special embodiment, the compound of the general formula (I) is used in a hydrogenation, hydroformylation, hydrosilylation, Hartwig-Buchwald reaction or amide a-arylation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of the present invention the term N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) denotes compounds that can be present in the form of different resonance structures, represented e.g. by structures with a divalent carbon atom as well as ylide type structures.

Preferred embodiments of the compounds of the general formula (I) are compounds of the formulae (I-A.1 ), (I-A.2), (I-B.1 ), (I-B.2), (I-C.1 ) and (I-C.2), as shown above and in the following. All definitions regarding compounds of the general formula (I) are also applicable for compounds of the formulae (I-A.1 ), (I-A.2), (I-B.1 ), (I-B.2), (I-C.1 ) and (I- C.2), unless explicitly defined otherwise. Preferred embodiments of the compounds of the general formula (I) are also compounds of the formulae (l-E) and (l-F), as shown above and in the following. All definitions regarding compounds of the general formula (I) are also applicable for compounds of the formulae (l-E) and (l-F), unless explicitly defined otherwise.

In the context of the present invention, single bonds are used to represent the

M-Ccarbene interactions in the compounds of the formulae (I) and (VI). The expression "halogen" denotes in each case fluorine, bromine, chlorine or iodine, particularly chlorine, bromide or iodine.

In the context of the invention, the expression "unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, (monoalkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkoxy, cycloalkyl- thio, (monocycloalkyl)amino, (dicycloalkyl)amino, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkoxy, heterocycloalkylthio, (monoheterocycloalkyl)amino, (diheterocycloalkyl)amino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, (monoaryl)amino, (diaryl)amino, hetaryl, hetaryloxy, hetarylthio, (monohetaryl)amino and (dihetaryl)amino" represents unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxy, unsubstituted or substituted alkylthio, unsubsti- tuted or substituted (monoalkyl)amino, unsubstituted or substituted (dialkyl)amino, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkoxy, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkylthio, unsubstituted or substituted (monocycloalkyl)amino, unsubstituted or substituted (dicycloalkyl)amino, unsubstituted or substituted heterocycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted heterocycloalkoxy, unsubstituted or substituted heterocycloalkylthio, unsubstituted or substituted (monoheterocycloalkyl)amino, unsubstituted or substituted (diheterocycloalkyl)amino, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted aryloxy, unsubstituted or substituted arylthio, unsubstituted or substituted (monoaryl)amino, unsubstituted or substituted (diaryl)amino, unsubstituted or substituted hetaryl, unsubstituted or substituted hetaryloxy, unsubstituted or substi- tuted hetarylthio, unsubstituted or substituted (monohetaryl)amino and unsubstituted or substituted (dihetaryl)amino.

In the context of the present invention, the expression "alkyl" comprises straight-chain or branched alkyl groups. Alkyl is preferably Ci-C3o-alkyl, more preferably Ci-C2o-alkyl and most preferably Ci-Ci2-alkyl. Examples of alkyl groups are especially methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, neo-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl, n-tridecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, n-octadecyl and n-eicosyl.

The expression alkyl also comprises alkyl radicals whose carbon chains may be interrupted by one or more nonadjacent groups which are selected from -0-, -S-, -NR ^b -, -C(=0)-, -S(=0)- and/or -S(=0)2-. R ^b is preferably hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, hetero- cycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl.

Substituted alkyl groups may, depending on the length of the alkyl chain, have one or more (e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 or more than 5) substituents. These are preferably each independently selected from cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, hetaryl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxyl, mercapto, cyano, nitro, nitroso, formyl, acyl, COOH, carboxylate, alkylcarbonyloxy, carbamoyl, SO3H , sulfonate, sulfamino, sulfamide, amidino, NE ¹ E ² where E ¹ and E ² are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl. Cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl substituents of the alkyl groups may in turn be unsubstituted or substituted; suitable substituents are the substituents mentioned below for these groups.

Carboxylate and sulfonate respectively represent a derivative of a carboxylic acid function and a sulfonic acid function, especially a metal carboxylate or sulfonate, a carboxylic ester or sulfonic ester function or a carboxamide or sulfonamide function. The above remarks regarding alkyl also apply to the alkyl moiety in alkoxy, alkylthio (= alkylsulfanyl), monoalkylamino and dialkylamino.

In the context of the present invention, the term "cycloalkyl" denotes a mono-, bi- or tricyclic hydrocarbon radical having usually from 3 to 20, preferably 3 to 12, more pref- erably 5 to 12, carbon atoms such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclododecyl, cyclopentadecyl, norbornyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl or adamantyl.

Substituted cycloalkyl groups may, depending on the ring size, have one or more (e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 or more than 5) substituents. These are preferably each independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, hetaryl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxyl, mercapto, cyano, nitro, nitroso, formyl, acyl, COOH, carboxylate, alkylcarbonyloxy, carbamoyl, SO3H , sulfonate, sulfamino, sulfamide, amidino, NE ³ E ⁴ where E ³ and E ⁴ are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, hetero- cycloalkyi, aryl or hetaryl. In the case of substitution, the cycloalkyi groups preferably bear one or more, for example one, two, three, four or five, Ci-C6-alkyl groups. Examples of substituted cycloalkyi groups are especially 2- and 3-methylcyclopentyl, 2- and 3-ethylcyclopentyl, 2-, 3- and 4-methylcyclohexyl, 2-, 3- and 4-ethylcyclohexyl, 2-, 3- and 4-propylcyclohexyl, 2-, 3- and 4-isopropylcyclohexyl, 2-, 3- and 4-butylcyclohexyl, 2-, 3- and 4-sec.-butylcyclohexyl, 2-, 3- and 4-tert-butylcyclohexyl, 2-, 3- and 4- methylcycloheptyl, 2-, 3- and 4-ethylcycloheptyl, 2-, 3- and 4-propylcycloheptyl, 2-, 3- and 4-isopropylcycloheptyl, 2-, 3- and 4-butylcycloheptyl, 2-, 3- and 4-sec- butylcycloheptyl, 2-, 3- and 4-tert-butylcycloheptyl, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-methylcyclooctyl, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-ethylcyclooctyl, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-propylcyclooctyl.

The above remarks regarding cycloalkyi also apply to the cycloalkyi moiety in cycloalkoxy, cycloalkylthio (= cycloalkylsulfanyl), monocycloalkylamino and dicycloal- kylamino.

In the context of the present invention, the term "aryl" refers to mono- or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon radicals. Aryl usually is an aromatic radical having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 6 to 20 carbon atoms, especially 6 to 14 carbon atoms as ring members. Aryl is preferably phenyl, naphthyl, indenyl, fluorenyl, anthracenyl, phenan- threnyl, naphthacenyl, chrysenyl, pyrenyl, coronenyl, perylenyl, etc., and more preferably phenyl or naphthyl.

Substituted aryls may, depending on the number and size of their ring systems, have one or more (e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 or more than 5) substituents. These are preferably each independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, hetaryl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxyl, mercapto, cyano, nitro, nitroso, formyl, acyl, COOH, carboxylate, alkylcarbonyloxy, carbamoyl, SO3H, sulfonate, sulfamino, sulfamide, amidino, NE ⁵ E ⁶ where E ⁵ and E ⁶ are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl. The alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl substituents on the aryl may in turn be unsubstituted or substituted. Reference is made to the substituents mentioned above for these groups. The substituents on the aryl are preferably selected from alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, aryl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano and nitro. Substituted aryl is more preferably substituted phenyl which generally bears 1 , 2, 3, 4 or 5, preferably 1 , 2 or 3, substituents.

Substituted aryl is preferably aryl substituted by at least one alkyl group ("alkaryl", also referred to hereinafter as alkylaryl). Alkaryl groups may, depending on the size of the aromatic ring system, have one or more (e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more than 9) alkyl substituents. The alkyl substituents may be unsubstituted or substituted. In this regard, reference is made to the above statements regarding unsubstituted and substituted alkyl. In a preferred embodiment, the alkaryl groups have exclusively unsubstituted alkyl substituents. Alkaryl is preferably phenyl which bears 1 , 2, 3, 4 or 5, pref- erably 1 , 2 or 3, more preferably 1 or 2, alkyl substituents.

Aryl which bears one or more radicals is, for example, 2-, 3- and 4-methylphenyl, 2,4-, 2,5-, 3,5- and 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-ethylphenyl, 2,4-,

2.5- , 3,5- and 2,6-diethylphenyl, 2,4,6-triethylphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-propylphenyl, 2,4-, 2,5-, 3,5- and 2,6-dipropylphenyl, 2,4,6-tripropylphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-isopropylphenyl,

2.4- , 2,5-, 3,5- and 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4- butylphenyl, 2,4-, 2,5-, 3,5- and 2,6-dibutylphenyl, 2,4,6-tributylphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4- isobutylphenyl, 2,4-, 2,5-, 3,5- and 2,6-diisobutylphenyl, 2,4,6-triisobutylphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-sec-butylphenyl, 2,4-, 2,5-, 3,5- and 2,6-di-sec-butylphenyl, 2,4,6-tri-sec- butylphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-tert-butylphenyl, 2,4-, 2,5-, 3,5- and 2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl and 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl; 2-, 3- and 4-methoxyphenyl, 2,4-, 2,5-, 3,5- and

2.6- dimethoxyphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-ethoxyphenyl, 2,4-, 2,5-, 3,5- and 2,6-diethoxyphenyl, 2,4,6-triethoxyphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-propoxyphenyl, 2,4-, 2,5-,

3.5- and 2,6-dipropoxyphenyl, 2-, 3- and 4-isopropoxyphenyl, 2,4-, 2,5-, 3,5- and 2,6-diisopropoxyphenyl and 2-, 3- and 4-butoxyphenyl; 2-, 3- and 4-chlorophenyl, (2- chloro-6-methyl)phenyl, (2-chloro-6-ethyl)phenyl, (4-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl, (4-chloro- 6-ethyl)phenyl.

The above remarks regarding aryl also apply to the aryl moiety in aryloxy, arylthio (= arylsulfanyl), monoarylamino and diarylamino.

In the context of the present invention, the expression "heterocycloalkyi" comprises nonaromatic, unsaturated or fully saturated, cycloaliphatic groups having generally 5 to 8 ring atoms, preferably 5 or 6 ring atoms. In the heterocycloalkyi groups, compared to the corresponding cycloalkyi groups, 1 , 2, 3, 4 or more than 4 of the ring carbon atoms are replaced by heteroatoms or heteroatom-containing groups. The heteroatoms or heteroatom-containing groups are preferably selected from -0-, -S-, -NR ^e -, -C(=0)-, -S(=0)- and/or -S(=0)2-. R ^e is preferably hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyi, aryl or hetaryl. Heterocycloalkyi is unsubstituted or optionally bears one or more, e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, identical or different radicals. These are preferably each independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyi, aryl, hetaryl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxyl, mercapto, cyano, nitro, nitroso, formyl, acyl, COOH, carboxylate, alkylcarbonyloxy, carbamoyl, SO3H, sulfonate, sulfamino, sulfamide, amidino, NE ⁵ E ⁶ where E ⁵ and E ⁶ are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyi, aryl or hetaryl. Examples of heterocycloalkyi groups are especially pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyra- zolidinyl, oxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, thiazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, piperaz- inyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, dihydrothien-2-yl, tetrahydrofuranyl, dihydrofuran-2-yl, tetra- hydropyranyl, 2-oxazolinyl, 3-oxazolinyl, 4-oxazolinyl and dioxanyl.

Substituted heterocycloalkyi groups may, depending on the ring size, have one or more (e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 or more than 5) substituents. These are preferably each independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyi, aryl, hetaryl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxyl, mercapto, cyano, nitro, nitroso, formyl, acyl, COOH, carboxylate, alkylcarbonyloxy, carbamoyl, SO3H, sulfonate, sulfamino, sul- famide, amidino, NE ⁷ E ⁸ where E ⁷ and E ⁸ are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyi, aryl or hetaryl. In the case of substitution, the heterocycloalkyi groups preferably bear one or more, for example one, two, three, four or five, Ci-C6-alkyl groups.

The above remarks regarding heterocycloalkyi also apply to the heterocycloalkyi moiety in heterocycloalkoxy, heterocycloalkylthio (= heterocycloalkylsulfanyl), monohetero- cycloalkylamino and diheterocycloalkylamino.

In the context of the present invention, the expression "hetaryl" (heteroaryl) comprises heteroaromatic, mono- or polycydic groups. In addition to the ring carbon atoms, these have 1 , 2, 3, 4 or more than 4 heteroatoms as ring members. The heteroatoms are preferably selected from oxygen, nitrogen, selenium and sulfur. The hetaryl groups have preferably 5 to 18, e.g. 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13 or 14, ring atoms.

Monocyclic hetaryl groups are preferably 5- or 6-membered hetaryl groups, such as 2- furyl (furan-2-yl), 3-furyl (furan-3-yl), 2-thienyl (thiophen-2-yl), 3-thienyl (thiophen-3-yl), selenophen-2-yl, selenophen-3-yl, 1 H-pyrrol-2-yl, 1 H-pyrrol-3-yl, pyrrol-1 -yl, imidazol-2- yl, imidazol-1 -yl, imidazol-4-yl, pyrazol-1 -yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, pyrazol-5-yl, 3- isoxazolyl, 4-isoxazolyl, 5-isoxazolyl, 3-isothiazolyl, 4-isothiazolyl, 5-isothiazolyl, 2- oxazolyl, 4-oxazolyl, 5-oxazolyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl, 1 ,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl, 1 ,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl, 1 ,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl, 1 ,2,4-thiadiazol-3-yl, 1 ,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl, 1 ,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl, 4H-[1 ,2,4]-triazol-3-yl, 1 ,3,4-triazol-2-yl, 1 ,2,3-triazol-1 -yl, 1 ,2,4- triazol-1 -yl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, 3-pyridazinyl, 4-pyridazinyl, 2- pyrimidinyl, 4-pyrimidinyl, 5-pyrimidinyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 1 ,3,5-triazin-2-yl and 1 ,2,4-triazin- 3-yl. Polycyclic hetaryl groups have 2, 3, 4 or more than 4 fused rings. The fused-on rings may be aromatic, saturated or partly unsaturated. Examples of polycyclic hetaryl groups are quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolizinyl, benzofuranyl, isoben- zofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxadia- zolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzoxazinyl, benzopyrazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzotriazinyl, benzoselenophenyl, thienothiophenyl, thienopyrimidyl, thiazolothiazolyl, dibenzopyrrolyl (carbazolyl), dibenzofuranyl, dibenzothiophenyl, naphtho[2,3- b]thiophenyl, naphtha[2,3-b]furyl, dihydroindolyl, dihydroindolizinyl, dihydroisoindolyl, dihydroquinolinyl and dihydroisoquinolinyl.

Substituted hetaryl groups may, depending on the number and size of their ring systems, have one or more (e.g. 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 or more than 5) substituents. These are preferably each independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyi, aryl, hetaryl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxyl, mercapto, cyano, nitro, nitroso, formyl, acyl, COOH, carboxylate, alkylcarbonyloxy, carbamoyl, SO3H, sulfonate, sulfamino, sulfamide, amidino, NE ⁹ E ¹⁰ where E ⁹ and E ¹⁰ are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyi, aryl or hetaryl. Halogen substituents are preferably fluorine, chlorine or bromine. The substituents are preferably selected from Ci-C6-alkyl, Ci-C6-alkoxy, hydroxyl, carboxyl, halogen and cyano.

The above remarks regarding hetaryl also apply to the hetaryl moiety in hetaryloxy, hetarylthio, monohetarylamino and dihetarylamino.

Preferably, in the compounds of the general formula (I) the metal atom containing group M comprises a metal selected from groups 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12 and 13 of the Periodic Table. Preferred metals are Ti, Zr, Cr, Mo, W, Re, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, In and B.

Particular preference is given to compounds of the general formula (I), wherein M is a Pd(ll), Pt(ll) or Au(l) containing group.

Suitable groups M are in principle groups of the formula L _y Me-, wherein Me is a metal, L is a ligand and y is an integer which depends on the valence and type of the metal and on the number of coordination sites occupied by each of the ligands L. Suitable ligands L are independently selected from among F, CI, Br, I, CO, isonitriles, nitriles, amines, carboxylates, acetylacetonate, hydride, olefins, cycloolefins, dienes, alkynes, C5H5 ^" , C7H ₇ ⁺ , N-containing heterocycles, aromatics, heteroaromatics, ethers, PF3, phospholes, phosphabenzenes, phosphines (e.g. P(C6H ₅ )3, P(CH3)(C6H ₅ )2,

P(CH3)2(C ₆ H ₅ ), P(CH ₃ ) ₃ , dppe (1 ,2-ethanediylbis[(diphenyl)phosphine]), P(C ₆ Hn) ₃ , etc.), phosphinites, phosphonites, phosphites, alkylsulfonates, arylsulfonates, etc. In particular, in the compounds of the general formula (I), M is selected from

PdCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ), PtCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ), PdCI(CNR ) ₂ , Au (CNR ¹ ) and AuCI, where R ¹ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl.

Preferably, R ¹ is selected from groups of the formulae IV.1 to IV.5, with particular preference given to the formulae IV.1 and IV.2:

#-C(R) _x

(IV.1 )

(IV.2) (IV.3)

(IV.4) (I .5)

in which

# represents the bonding site to the nitrogen atom, p is O or l , x is 2 or 3, where, in the case that x is 2, the carbon atom which bears the R' radicals additionally bears 1 hydrogen atom, xi in the formulae IV.2, IV.3 and IV.4 is 0, 1 , 2, 3, 4, or 5,

X2 in the formulae IV.2, IV.3 and IV.4 is 0 or 1 ,

with the proviso that the sum of xi and x ₂ in the formulae IV.2, IV.3 and IV.4 is 0, 1 , 2, 3, 4 or 5, xi in the formula IV.5 is 0, 1 or 2,

X2 in the formula IV.5 is 0 or 1 ,

with the proviso that the sum of xi and x ₂ in the formulae IV.5 is 0, 1 or 2, A where present, is a Ci-Cio-alkylene group which may be interrupted by one or more nonadjacent groups which are selected from -O- and -S-, the R' radicals are each independently selected from Ci-C3o-alkyl, Ci-C3o-alkyloxy or Ci-C3o-alkylthio, wherein the alkyl chain in alkyl, alkyloxy or alkylthio may be interrupted by one or more nonadjacent oxygen atom(s).

More preferably, in the formulae IV.2, IV.3 and IV.4, xi is 0, 1 , 2 or 3, X2 is 0 or 1 , with the proviso that the sum of xi and X2 is 0, 1 , 2 or 3.

More preferably, R ¹ is selected from Ci-C6-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl which carries 1 , 2 or 3 radicals independently selected from Ci-C6-alkyl and chlorine. Especially, R ¹ is selected from isopropyl, tert. -butyl, 2-methylphenyl, 3-methylphenyl, 4-methylphenyl,

2.4- dimethylphenyl, 2,5-dimethylphenyl, 3,5-dimethylphenyl, 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, 2-ethylphenyl, 3-ethylphenyl, 4-ethylphenyl, 2,4-diethylphenyl,

2.5- diethylphenyl, 3,5-diethylphenyl, 2,6-diethylphenyl, 2,4,6-triethylphenyl, 2- propylphenyl, 3-propylphenyl, 4-propylphenyl, 2,4-dipropylphenyl, 2,5-dipropylphenyl,

3.5- dipropylphenyl, 2,6-dipropylphenyl, 2,4,6-tripropylphenyl, 2-isopropylphenyl, 3- isopropylphenyl, 4-isopropylphenyl, 2,4-diisopropylphenyl 2,5-diisopropylphenyl, 3,5-diisopropylphenyl, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl, 2-butylphenyl, 3- butylphenyl, 4-butylphenyl, 2,4-dibutylphenyl, 2,5-dibutylphenyl, 3,5-dibutylphenyl,

2.6- dibutylphenyl, 2,4,6-tributylphenyl, 2-isobutylphenyl, 3-isobutylphenyl, 4- isobutylphenyl, 2,4-diisobutylphenyl, 2,5-diisobutylphenyl, 3,5-diisobutylphenyl, 2,6-diisobutylphenyl, 2,4,6-triisobutylphenyl, 2-sec-butylphenyl, 3-sec-butylphenyl, 4- sec-butylphenyl, 2,4-di-sec-butylphenyl, 2,5-di-sec-butylphenyl, 3,5-di-sec-butylphenyl, 2,6-di-sec-butylphenyl, 2,4,6-tri-sec-butylphenyl, 2-tert-butylphenyl, 3-tert-butylphenyl, 4-tert-butyl-phenyl, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl, 2,5-di-tert-butylphenyl, 3,5-di- tert-butylphenyl, 2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl, 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl, (2-chloro-6-ethyl)phenyl, (2- chloro-6-propyl)phenyl, (2-chloro-6-isopropyl)phenyl, (2-chloro-6-butyl)phenyl, (2- chloro-6-isobutyl)phenyl, (2-chloro-6-sec-butyl)phenyl and (2-chloro-6-tert-butyl)phenyl.

In particular, R ¹ is selected from tert.-butyl, 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl and (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl.

Preferably, R ² is selected from hydrogen, alkyl and cycloalkyl, in particular Ci-C6-alkyl, phenyl-Ci-C6-alkyl and Cs-ds-cycloalkyl. More preferably R ² is selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, 1-phenylethyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclododecyl, cyclopentadecyl and 1- adamantyl. According to a first preferred embodiment, R ³ and R ⁴ are independently selected from hydrogen and unsubstituted or substituted aryl. If at least one of the residues R ³ and R ⁴ is aryl then this residue is preferably phenyl. In particular, R ³ and R ⁴ are both hydrogen.

According to a second preferred embodiment, R ³ and R ⁴ together with the carbon atom to which they are bound are C=0.

According to a third preferred embodiment, R ³ is a group 0-R ^3a , where R ^3a is a group bound to the oxygen via a carbon atom, silicon atom, sulphur atom, phosphorus, boron or titanium atom. In this embodiment, for compounds of the general formula (I), wherein n is 0, the residues R ⁴ and R ⁷ stand for the bond equivalent of a double bond between the carbon atoms carrying R ⁴ and R ⁷ . In this embodiment, for compounds of the general formula (I), wherein n is 1 , the residues R ⁴ and R ⁵ stand for the bond equivalent of a double bond between the carbon atoms carrying R ⁴ and R ⁵ . Preferably, R ^3a is selected from groups of the formulae V-A, V-B, V-C, V-D, V-E, V-F, V-G, V-H, V-l, V-K or V-L, with more preference given to the groups of the formulae V-A, V-B or V-C, wherein R

(V-A) (V-B) (V-C) (V-D) (V-E

(V-G) (V-H) (V-l) (V-K) (V-L)

# represents the bonding site to the oxygen atom

T is selected from -O- and -NR ^Vf , wherein R ^Vf is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl, R ^VA , R ^VB , are selected from unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl and unsubstituted or substituted hetaryl,

R ^VC , R ^VD , R ^VE are independently of each other selected from unsubstituted or sub- stituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl and unsubstituted or substituted hetaryl,

R ^V 9 is selected from unsubstituted or substituted heterocycloalkyl,

R ^VH is selected from unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl and unsubstituted or substituted hetaryl,

R ^VI and R ^Vk are independently of each other selected from unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, alkoxy, unsubstituted or substituted aryloxy and unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyloxy,

R ^VM and R ^VN , are independently of each other selected from unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl and unsubstituted or substituted hetaryl,

R ^VO and R ^V P, are independently of each other selected from unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl and unsubstituted or substituted hetaryl,

R ^Vc i, R ^VR and R ^VS , are independently of each other selected from unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl and unsubstituted or substituted hetaryl,

R ^VT , R ^VU and R ^VV , are independently of each other selected from unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl and unsubstituted or substituted hetaryl, and

R ^VW , R ^VX and R ^vy are independently of each other selected from unsubstituted or substituted alkyloxy, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyloxy, unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyloxy and unsubstituted or substituted aryloxy; and

D ⁺ is a cation equivalent.

The cation equivalent D ⁺ serves merely as counterion and can be selected freely from among monovalent cations and the parts of polyvalent cations corresponding to a single positive charge. Suitable cations are, for example, alkali metal ions D ⁺ , e.g. Na ⁺ and K ⁺ , earth alkali metal cations, e.g. Ca ²⁺ , ammonium ions. Preferably, R ^Va is phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals independently selected from Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy and nitro.

Preferably, R ^Vb is (Ci-C4-alkyl)phenyl, wherein the phenyl moiety of (Ci-C4-alkyl)phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals independently selected from C1-C4- alkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy and nitro.

Preferably T is -0-. In the radical of the formula V-B, T is preferably -O- and R ^Vb is benzyl wherein the phenyl moiety of benzyl is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radi- cals independently selected from Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy and nitro.

Preferably, R ^Vc , R ^Vd and R ^Ve are independently of each other selected from Ci-C6-alkyl, C5-Cio-cycloalkyl and phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals independently selected from Ci-C4-alkyl and Ci-C4-alkoxy. Examples for a radical V-C are trimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl, dimethylisopropylsilyl, diethylisopropyl- silyl, dimethylhexylsilyl, 2-norbornyldimethylsilyl, tert-butyldimethylsilyl, di-tert- butylmethylsilyl, tert-butyldiphenylsilyl, tribenzylsilyl, triphenylsilyl and diphenylmethyl- silyl. Preferably, the radical of the formula V-D is 2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidin-3-one-1 - sulfinate.

Preferably, R ^Vh is Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C4-alkyl substituted by phenyl wherein phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals independently se- lected from Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-alkoxy, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkoxy and nitro, C2- C6-alkenyl, benzyl, phenyl, wherein phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals independently selected from Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkoxy, Ci-C4-alkoxy and nitro. Examples of radicals of the formula V-E are methanesulfonate, trifluoromethanesulfonate, 2-[(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]sulfonate, allylsulfonate, benzylsul- fonate, tosylate, and 2-trifluoromethylbenzenesulfonate.

Preferably, R ^Vi and R ^Vk are independently of each other selected from Ci-C6-alkyl, Ci- C6-alkoxy and phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals independently selected from Ci-C4-alkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkyl, Ci-C4-haloalkoxy and C1-C4- alkoxy.

Preferably, R ⁷ , R ⁸ , and, if present, R ⁵ and R ⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen and unsubstituted or substituted aryl. If at least one of the residues R ⁷ , R ⁸ , and, if present, R ⁵ and R ⁶ is aryl then this residue is preferably phenyl. In a first preferred em- bodiment, R ⁷ , R ⁸ , and, if present, R ⁵ and R ⁶ are all hydrogen. In a second preferred embodiment, one of the residues, selected from R ⁷ , R ⁸ , and, if present, R ⁵ and R ⁶ is phenyl and the other residues are all hydrogen. In a special embodiment, the two radicals R ² and R ⁸ may also form together with the N atom to which R ² and the carbon atom to which R ⁸ are bound a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 1 1 - or12-membered, unsubstituted or substituted nitrogen heterocycle which may optionally have 1 , 2 or 3 further heteroatoms or heteroatom containing groups independently selected from O, N, NR ^a and S as ring members, wherein R ^a is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl. Suitable substituents on the 3- to 12-membered nitrogen heterocycle are preferably halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, carboxyl, Ci- C6-alkyl, Ci-C6-alkoxy, C2-C6-alkenyloxy, C2-C6-alkynyloxy, Ci-C6-haloalkoxy, and

Ci-C6-alkylthio and/ or two substituents that are bound to adjacent atoms of the 3- to 12-membered heterocycle form together with said atoms a fused benzene ring, a fused naphthalene ring, a fused saturated or partially unsaturated 5-, 6-, or 7-membered car- bocycle or a fused 5-, 6-, or 7-membered heterocycle, which contains 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulfur and NR ^a , wherein R ^a is as defined above, as ring members, and wherein the fused ring is unsubstituted or may carry any combination of 1 , 2, 3, or 4 radicals selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, carboxyl, Ci-C6-alkyl, Ci-C6-alkoxy, C2-C6-alkenyloxy, C2-C6-alkynyloxy, C1-C6- haloalkoxy, and Ci-C6-alkylthio.

Preferred are compounds of the general formula (l-D)

(l-D)

where n, M, R ¹ , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ have the aforementioned meanings, in particular the meanings mentioned as preferred. In particular, n is 0, M is selected from PdCl2(CNR ¹ ), PdCI(CNR ) ₂ , PtCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ), Au(CNR ¹ ) and AuCI, R ¹ is selected from tert.-butyl, 2,6- dimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl and (2-chloro-6- methyl)phenyl, and R ³ and R ⁴ are both hydrogen.

In the aforementioned first variant, the process of the invention is employed for preparing compounds of the formula (I-A.1 ) or (I-A.2)

(I-A.1 ) (I-A.2)

where

M, R ¹ , R ² , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have the aforementioned meanings, in particular the

meanings mentioned as preferred,

R ³ and R ⁴ are independently selected from hydrogen and in each case unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, (monoalkyl)amino, (dialkyl)amino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkoxy, cycloalkylthio, (monocycloalkyl)amino, (dicycloalkyl)amino, hetero- cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkoxy, heterocycloalkylthio, (monoheterocycloalkyl)amino, (diheterocycloalkyl)amino, aryl, aryloxy, arylthio, (monoaryl)amino, (diaryl)amino, hetaryl, hetaryloxy, hetarylthio, (monohetaryl)amino and (dihetaryl)amino.

In a preferred embodiment of the first variant, the process of the invention is employed for preparing compounds of the general formula (I-A.2.1 )

(I-A.2.1 )

where M, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ and R ⁷ have the aforementioned meanings, in particular the meanings mentioned as preferred.

(In the formula I-A.2.1 the residues R ⁴ and R ⁸ are hydrogen and are not depicted.)

The compounds of the general formula (l-A.2.2) which are indicated in Tables 1 to 5 below represent per se preferred embodiments of the present invention. The meanings for R ¹ , R ² and R ³ indicated in Table A below represent embodiments of the invention which are likewise preferred independently of one another and especially in combination.

Table 1

Compounds of the formula (l-A.2.2) in which the group M is PdC iCNR ¹ ) and the combination of R ¹ , R ² and R ³ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PdCl2(CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning. In comparison to the general formula (I), in formula (l-A.2.2) n is 0 and the residues R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ are hydrogen and are not depicted. Table 2

Compounds of the formula (l-A.2.2) in which the group M is PtC iCNR ¹ ) and the combination of R ¹ , R ² and R ³ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PtCl2(CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning.

Table 3

Compounds of the formula (l-A.2.2) in which the group M is PdCI(CNR ¹ )2 and the combination of R ¹ , R ² and R ³ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PdCI(CNR ¹ ) ₂ have both the same meaning.

Table 4

Compounds of the formula (l-A.2.2) in which the group M is AuCI and the combination of R ¹ , R ² and R ³ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A.

Table 5

Compounds of the formula (l-A.2.2) in which the group M is Au(CNR ¹ ) and the combination of R ¹ , R ² and R ³ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table A. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group AuCI(CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning.

Table A

No. R R ² R ³

A-1 2,6-dimethylphenyl methyl H

A-2 2,6-dimethylphenyl ethyl H No. R R ² R ³

A-77 (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl sec-buty phenyl

A-78 (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl tert-butyl phenyl

A-79 (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl cyclohexyl phenyl

A-80 (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl 1 -adamantyl phenyl

A-81 tert-butyl methyl H

A-82 tert-butyl ethyl H

A-83 tert-butyl n-propyl H

A-84 tert-butyl isopropyl H

A-85 tert-butyl n-butyl H

A-86 tert-butyl isobutyl H

A-87 tert-butyl sec-buty H

A-88 tert-butyl tert-butyl H

A-89 tert-butyl cyclohexyl H

A-90 tert-butyl 1 -adamantyl H

A-91 tert-butyl methyl phenyl

A-92 tert-butyl ethyl phenyl

A-93 tert-butyl n-propyl phenyl

A-94 tert-butyl isopropyl phenyl

A-95 tert-butyl n-butyl phenyl

A-96 tert-butyl isobutyl phenyl

A-97 tert-butyl sec-buty phenyl

A-98 tert-butyl tert-butyl phenyl

A-99 tert-butyl cyclohexyl phenyl

A-100 tert-butyl 1 -adamantyl phenyl

In a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned second variant, the process of the invention is employed for preparing compounds of the general formula (I-B.1 ) or (I-B.2)

(I-B.1 ) (I-B.2)

where M, R ¹ , R ² , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have the aforementioned meanings, in particular the meanings mentioned as preferred.

In an especially preferred embodiment of the second variant, the process of the inven- tion is employed for preparing compounds of the general formula (l-B.2.1 )

where M, R ¹ and R ² have the aforementioned meanings, in particular the meanings mentioned as preferred.

The compounds of the general formula (l-B.2.1 ) which are indicated in Tables 6 to 10 below represent per se preferred embodiments of the present invention. The meanings for R ¹ and R ² indicated in Table B below represent embodiments of the invention which are likewise preferred independently of one another and especially in combination.

Table 6

Compounds of the formula (l-B.2.1 ) in which the group M is PdC iCNR ¹ ) and the com- bination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table B. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PdCl2(CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning. In comparison to the general formula (I), in formula (l-B.2.1 ) n is 0 and the residues R ⁷ and R ⁸ are hydrogen and are not depicted. Table 7

Compounds of the formula (l-B.2.1 ) in which the group M is PtC iCNR ¹ ) and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table B. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PtCl2(CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning.

Table 8

Compounds of the formula (l-B.2.1 ) in which the group M is PdCI(CNR ¹ )2 and the combination of R ¹ , R ² and R ³ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table B. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PdCI (CNR ¹ ) 2 have both the same meaning. Table 9

Compounds of the formula (l-B.2.1 ) in which the group M is AuCI and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table B. Table 10

Compounds of the formula (l-B.2.1 ) in which the group M is Au(CNR ¹ ) and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table B. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group AuCI(CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning.

Table B

No. R R ²

B-1 2,6-dimethylphenyl isopropyl

B-2 2,6-dimethylphenyl tert-butyl

B-3 2,6-dimethylphenyl cyclohexyl

B-4 2,6-dimethylphenyl cyclododecyl

B-5 2,6-dimethylphenyl 1 -adamantyl

B-6 2,6-dimethylphenyl 1 -phenylethyl

B-7 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl isopropyl

B-8 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl tert-butyl

B-9 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl cyclohexyl

B-10 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl cyclododecyl

B-1 1 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl 1 -adamantyl

B-12 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl 1 -phenylethyl

B-13 2,6-diisopropylphenyl isopropyl

B-14 2,6-diisopropylphenyl tert-butyl

B-15 2,6-diisopropylphenyl cyclohexyl

B-16 2,6-diisopropylphenyl cyclododecyl

B-17 2,6-diisopropylphenyl 1 -adamantyl

B-18 2,6-diisopropylphenyl 1 -phenylethyl

B-19 (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl isopropyl

B-20 (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl tert-butyl

B-21 (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl cyclohexyl

B-22 (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl cyclododecyl

B-23 (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl 1 -adamantyl

B-24 (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl 1 -phenylethyl

B-25 tert-butyl isopropyl

B-26 tert-butyl tert-butyl

In a preferred embodiment of the third variant, the process of the invention is employed for preparing compounds of the general formula (I-C.1 ) or (I-C.2)

(I-C.1 ) (I-C.2)

where

M, R ¹ , R ² , R ^3a , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have the aforementioned meanings, in particular the meanings mentioned as preferred.

In an especially preferred embodiment of the third variant, the process of the invention is employed for preparing compounds of the general formula (l-C.2.1 )

(l-C.2.1 )

M, R ¹ , R ² and R ^3a have the aforementioned meanings, in particular the meanings mentioned as preferred.

The compounds of the general formula (l-C.2.1 ) which are indicated in Tables 1 1 to 15 below represent per se preferred embodiments of the present invention. The meanings for R ¹ , R ² and R ^3a indicated in Table C below represent embodiments of the invention which are likewise preferred independently of one another and especially in combina- tion. Table 10

Compounds of the formula (l-C.2.1 ) in which the group M is PdC iCNR ¹ ) and the combination of R ¹ , R ² and R ^3a for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Ta- ble C. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PdCl2(CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning. In comparison to the general formula (I), in formula (l-C.2.1 ) n is 0 and the residue R ⁸ is hydrogen and is not depicted.

Table 1 1

Compounds of the formula (l-C.2.1 ) in which the group M is PtC iCNR ¹ ) and the combination of R ¹ , R ² and R ^3a for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table C. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PtCl2(CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning. Table 12

Compounds of the formula (l-C.2.1 ) in which the group M is PdCI(CNR ¹ )2 and the combination of R ¹ , R ² and R ³ for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table C. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PdCI(CNR ¹ )2 have both the same meaning.

Table 14

Compounds of the formula (l-C.2.1 ) in which the group M is AuCI and the combination of R ¹ , R ² and R ^3a for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table C. Table 15

Compounds of the formula (l-C.2.1 ) in which the group M is Au(CNR ¹ ) and the combination of R ¹ , R ² and R ^3a for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table C. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group Au(CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning.

Table C

No. R R ² _R 3a

C-1 2,6-dimethylphenyl isopropyl tert-butyldiphenylsilyl

C-2 2,6-dimethylphenyl tert-butyl tert-butyldiphenylsilyl

C-3 2,6-dimethylphenyl cyclohexyl tert-butyldiphenylsilyl

C-4 2,6-dimethylphenyl cyclododecyl tert-butyldiphenylsilyl

C-5 2,6-dimethylphenyl 1 -adamantyl tert-butyldiphenylsilyl

C-6 2,6-dimethylphenyl 1 -phenylethyl tert-butyldiphenylsilyl

C-7 2,6-dimethylphenyl isopropyl benzoyl

In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the process of the invention ployed for preparing compounds of the general formula l-E,

M, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ and R ⁸ have the aforementioned meanings. In this embodiment, R ¹ and R ² have preferably different meanings.

R ¹ is preferably selected from groups of the formulae IV.1 to IV.5, with particular preference given to the formulae IV.1 and IV.2. More preferably, R ¹ is selected from C1-C6- alkyl, phenyl and phenyl which carries 1 , 2 or 3 radicals independently selected from Ci-C6-alkyl and chlorine. In particular preferably, R ¹ is selected from tert. -butyl, 2,6- dimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl and (2-chloro-6- methyl)phenyl.

Preferably, R ² is selected from alkyl and cycloalkyi, in particular Ci-C6-alkyl, phenyl-Ci- C6-alkyl and Cs-ds-cycloalkyl. In particular, R ² is selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclododecyl and 1 -adamantyl.

Preferably, R ³ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl, more preferably hydrogen, Ci-C6-alkyl and C6-Cio-aryl.

Preferably, R ⁸ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl, more preferably hydrogen, Ci-C6-alkyl and C6-Cio-aryl.

M is preferably selected from PdCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ), PtCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ), PdCI(CNR ) ₂ , Au (CNR ¹ ) and AuCI, where R ¹ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl.

In an especially preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the process of the invention is employed for preparing compounds of the formula I-E.1 ,

where M, R ¹ and R ² have the aforementioned meanings, in particular the meanings mentioned as preferred.

The compounds of the general formula (I-E.1 ) which are indicated in Tables 16 to 20 below represent per se preferred embodiments of the present invention. The meanings for R ¹ and R ² indicated in Table D below represent embodiments of the invention which are likewise preferred independently of one another and especially in combination.

Table 16

Compounds of the formula (I-E.1 ) in which the group M is PdC iCNR ¹ ) and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table D. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PdCl2(CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning.

Table 17

Compounds of the formula (I-E.1 ) in which the group M is PtC iCNR ¹ ) and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table D. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PtCl2(CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning. Table 18

Compounds of the formula (I-E.1 ) in which the group M is PdCI(CNR ¹ )2 and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table D. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PdCI(CNR ¹ ) 2 have both the same meaning.

Table 19

Compounds of the formula (l-E.1 ) in which the group M is AuCI and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table D.

Table 20

Compounds of the formula (I-E.1 ) in which the group M is Au(CNR ¹ ) and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table D. he residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group Au(CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning.

Table D

No. R R ²

D-1 2,6-dimethylphenyl isopropyl

D-2 2,6-dimethylphenyl tert-butyl

D-3 2,6-dimethylphenyl cyclohexyl

D-4 2,6-dimethylphenyl cyclododecyl

D-5 2,6-dimethylphenyl 1 -adamantyl

D-6 2,6-dimethylphenyl 1 -phenylethyl

D-7 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl isopropyl

D-8 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl tert-butyl

D-9 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl cyclohexyl

D-10 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl cyclododecyl

D-1 1 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl 1 -adamantyl

D-12 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl 1 -phenylethyl

D-13 2,6-diisopropylphenyl isopropyl

D-14 2,6-diisopropylphenyl tert-butyl

D-15 2,6-diisopropylphenyl cyclohexyl

D-16 2,6-diisopropylphenyl cyclododecyl

D-17 2,6-diisopropylphenyl 1 -adamantyl

D-18 2,6-diisopropylphenyl 1 -phenylethyl

D-19 (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl isopropyl

D-20 (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl tert-butyl

D-21 (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl cyclohexyl

In a preferred embodiment of the third aspect, the process according to the invention is employed for preparing compounds of the general formula l-F

where

M, EWG, R ¹ , R ² , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have the aforementioned meanings. In this embodi- ment, R ¹ and R ² have preferably different meanings.

In this embodiment, R ¹ is preferably selected from phenyl, naphthyl, phenyl which carries 1 , 2 or 3 radicals independently selected from Ci-Cs-alkyl and Ci-Cs-haloalkyI, and naphthyl which carries 1 , 2 or 3 radicals independently selected from Ci-Cs-alkyl and Ci-Cs-haloalkyI, in particular Ci-C6-alkyl or Ci-C6-fluoroalkyl. Especially R ¹ is selected from 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, 2- trifluoromethylphenyl, 2,6-di-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl, 1 -napthyl and 2-naphthyl.

Preferably, R ² is selected from alkyl and cycloalkyl, in particular Ci-C6-alkyl, phenyl-Ci- C6-alkyl and Cs-C-is-cycloalkyl. More preferably, R ² is selected from methyl, ethyl, n- propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, 1 -phenylethyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclododecyl and 1 -adamantyl.

Preferably, R ⁴ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl, more preferably hydrogen and Ci-Cio-alkyl. Preferably, R ⁷ and R ⁸ are independently of each other selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl, more preferably hydrogen and Ci-Cio-alkyl. EWG is preferably C(0)R ¹⁴ or C(0)OR ¹⁴ , especially C(0)OR ¹⁴ . In this embodiment R ¹⁴ is preferably Ci-C6-alkyl, especially Ci-C4-alkyl swuch as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso- propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl or tert-butyl.

M is preferably selected from PdCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ), PtCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ), PdCI(CNR ) ₂ , Au (CNR ¹ ) and AuCI, where R ¹ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl.

Preference is given to compounds of formula I-F.1 ,

where EWG, M, R ¹ and R ² have the aforementioned meanings, preferably those being preferred.

The compounds of the general formula (I-F.1 ) which are indicated in Tables 21 to 30 below represent per se preferred embodiments of the present invention. The meanings for R ¹ and R ² indicated in Table E below represent embodiments of the invention which are likewise preferred independently of one another and especially in combination.

Table 21

Compounds of the formula (I-F.1 ) in which the group M is PdCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ), EWG is meth- oxycarbonyl and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table E. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PdCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning.

Table 22

Compounds of the formula (I-F.1 ) in which the group M is PtCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ), EWG is meth- oxycarbonyl and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table E. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PtCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning.

Table 23 Compounds of the formula (I-F.1 ) in which the group M is PdCI(CNR ¹ ) ₂ , EWG is meth- oxycarbonyl and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table E. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PdCI(CNR ¹ ) 2 have both the same meaning.

Table 24

Compounds of the formula (I-F.1 ) in which the group M is AuCI, EWG is methoxycar- bonyl and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table E.

Table 25

Compounds of the formula (I-F.1 ) in which the group M is Au(CNR ¹ ), EWG is methoxy- carbonyl and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table E. he residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group Au(CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning.

Table 26

Compounds of the formula (I-F.1 ) in which the group M is PdCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ), EWG is eth- oxycarbonyl and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corre- sponds to one line of Table E. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PdC iCNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning.

Table 27

Compounds of the formula (I-F.1 ) in which the group M is PtCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ), EWG is eth- oxycarbonyl and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table E. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PtC iCNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning.

Table 28

Compounds of the formula (I-F.1 ) in which the group M is PdCI(CNR ¹ ) ₂ , EWG is eth- oxycarbonyl and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table E. The residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group PdCI(CNR ¹ ) 2 have both the same meaning. Table 29

Compounds of the formula (I-F.1 ) in which the group M is AuCI, EWG is ethoxycar- bonyl and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table E. Table 30

Compounds of the formula (I-F.1 ) in which the group M is Au(CNR ¹ ), EWG is ethoxy- carbonyl and the combination of R ¹ and R ² for a compound in each case corresponds to one line of Table E. he residue R ¹ bound to the ring nitrogen atom and the residue R ¹ in the group Au(CNR ¹ ) have both the same meaning.

Table E

Step a1 )

In step a1 ) of the process according to the invention an isonitrile complex of the gen- eral formula (II) R ¹ -N≡C-M is employed, wherein R ¹ and M have one of the meanings given above.

Synthesis of isonitrile ligands The syntheses of the isonitriles suitable for providing isonitrile complexes of the general formula (II) can be accomplished by conventional methods, which are briefly outlined below, from precursors which are commercially available or can be obtained by known methods. Suitable methods for the formation of isonitriles are e.g. the elimination of water from N-substituted formamides, the reaction between primary amines and chloro- form under basic conditions (haloform-isocyanide transformation), and the reduction of isocyanates. A preferred method to provide isonitriles of the general formula R ¹ -N≡C is the reaction of an amine R ¹ -NH2 with a formic acid ester at elevated temperature to obtain a formamide of the formula R ¹ -NH-CH(=0) and the subsequent elimination of water, e.g. with POC and a tertiary amine, phosgene and a tertiary amine, etc., as depicted in Scheme 1.

Scheme 1 :

In Scheme 1 R ¹ has the aforementioned meanings, in particular the meanings mentioned as preferred, Et means ethyl.

Synthesis of isonitrile complexes of the general formula (II)

In the process of the invention the desired metal carbene complexes are prepared from metal coordinated isonitrile ligands (isocyanide ligands). The employed isonitrile com- plexes of the general formula (II) R ¹ -N≡C-M can be obtained e.g. from the aforementioned isonitrile compounds R ¹ -N≡C and readily available complexes of a metal M by ligand exchange reactions known to a person skilled in the art as depicted in Scheme 2. Preferred educt complexes are e.g. [Pd(CH ₃ CN) ₂ CI ₂ ], [Pt(CH ₃ CN) ₂ CI ₂ ] and

[AuCI(tetrahydrothiophene)].

Scheme 2 (Synthesis of the Pd(ll)- and Au(l)- and Pt(ll)-isonitrile complexes):

R '

[Pd(CH ₃ CN) ₂ CI ₂ ] + 2 C≡N-R

cr c

R '

CI

Pt

[Pt(CH ₃ CN) ₂ CI ₂ ] + 2 C≡N-R ¹

CI

CI— Au-S + C≡N-R CI— Au-C≡N-R

In Scheme 2, R ¹ has the aforementioned meanings, in particular the meanings mentioned as preferred.

Synthesis of NHC complexes

To obtain the desired NHC complexes, an isonitrile complex of the general formula (II) is reacted with a compound of the general formulae (III) or (Ilia)

(III) (Ilia)

wherein n, R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have one of the meanings given above,

X- is an anion equivalent, and is a leaving group, or if R ³ and R ⁴ together with the carbon atom to which they are bound are C=0 then Y is a group 0-Y ^a , where Y ^a is unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl carbonyl, or unsubstituted or substituted arylcarbonyl. The anion equivalent X- serves merely as counterion and can be selected freely from among monovalent anions and the parts of polyvalent anions corresponding to a single negative charge. Suitable anions are, for example, halide ions X ^" , e.g. chloride and bromide, sulfate and sulfonate anions, e.g. S0 ₄ ^2_ , tosylate, trifluoromethanesulfonate and methanesulfonate. Preferably, X ^" is chloride or bromide.

Preferably, Y is selected from halides, tosylates, carboxylates, carbonates, esters, sulfonates and phosphates. Examples of Y are chlorine, bromine, iodine, methanesulfonate, trifluoromethanesulfonate and toluenesulfonate, with preference given to chlorine and bromine.

Preferably, Y ^a is selected from Ci-C ₄ alkyl and pentafluorophenylcarbonyl.

In a first preferred embodiment, the compound of the formula (III) is an co-haloalkyl- ammonium salt, preferably a 2-(haloethyl)ammonium halide or a 3-(halopropyl)- ammonium halide. Likewise, in a further first preferred embodiment, the compound of the formula (III. a) is an ω-haloalkylamine, preferably a 2-(haloethyl)amine or a 3- (halopropyl)amine.

In particular, the compound of the formula (III) is a 2-(chloroethyl)ammonium chloride of the formula (111.1 ) and the compound of the formula (III. a), is a 2-(chloroethyl)amine of the formula (IIM .a)

(IIM .a) wherein

R ² is selected from alkyl and cycloalkyl, in particular Ci-C6-alkyl, phenyl-Ci-C6-alkyl and C5-Ci5-cycloalkyl.

R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ are selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl and C6-C10 aryl.

Preferably, in the compounds (III.1 ) and (IIM .a), R ² is selected from methyl, ethyl, n- propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclododecyl and 1 -adamantyl.

Preferably, in the compounds (III.1 ) and (IIM .a), R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ are selected from hydrogen and phenyl. In a special embodiment, R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ are all hydrogen. In a further special embodiment, 1 of the residues R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ is phenyl and the other are hydrogen.

The syntheses of ω-haloalkylammonium salts (III) and the free base thereof, i.e. ω- haloalkylamin compounds (III. a) can be accomplished by conventional methods, as depicted in Scheme 3 for the ω-chloroalkylammonium salts. Thus, the synthesis of 2- (chloroethyl)ammonium chlorides can be accomplished according to literature procedures starting from commercially available amino alcohols (see e.g. A. Habtemariam et al., J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Trans. 2001 , 8, 1306 - 1318). The free amine of the formula (IIM .a) is liberated from the salt of the formula (MM ) by addition of a base. Suitable bases are e.g. tertiary amines such as triethylamine.

Scheme 3 (Synthesis of 2-(chloroethyl)ammonium chlorides and 2-(chloroethyl)amin compounds)

1.1 ) M .a) In scheme 3, R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have the aforementioned meanings, in particular the meanings mentioned as preferred.

The synthesis of 2-(adamantan-1ylamino)ethanol as starting material for the formation of the corresponding 2-(chloroethyl)ammonium chloride can be performed as described by P. E. Aldrich, E. C. Herrmann, W. E. Meier, M. Paulshock, W. W. Prichard, J. A. Snyder and J. C. Watts in J. Med. Chem. 1971 , 14, 535- 543.

In a second preferred embodiment, the compound of the formula (III) is an ω- (alkoxycarbonyl)alkylammonium salt, preferably a 2-(Ci-C4-alkoxy- carbonyl)ethylammonium halide or a 3-(Ci-C4-alkoxycarbonyl)propylammonium halide. Likewise, in a second preferred embodiment, the compound of the formula (III. a) is an co-(alkoxycarbonyl)alkylamine, preferably a 2-(Ci-C4-alkoxycarbonyl)ethylamine or a 3- (Ci-C4-alkoxycarbonyl)propylamine.

In particular, the compound of the formula (III) is a 2-(Ci-C4-alkoxy- carbonyl)ethylammonium chloride of the formula (III.2) and the compound of the formula (III. a) is a 2-(Ci-C4-alkoxycarbonyl)ethylamin of the formula (III.2. a)

(III.2)

(lll.2.a) wherein R ² is selected from alkyl and cycloalkyl, in particular Ci-C6-alkyl, phenyl-Ci-C6-alkyl and C5-Ci5-cycloalkyl.

R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ are selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl and C6-C10 aryl. Preferably, in the compounds (III.2) and (lll.2.a), R ² is selected from methyl, ethyl, n- propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclododecyl and 1 -adamantyl.

Preferably, in the compounds (III.2) and (lll.2.a), R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ are selected from hydrogen and phenyl. In a special embodiment, R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ are all hydrogen. In further special embodiment, 1 of the residues R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ is phenyl and the others are hydrogen.

To obtain access to the desired NHC-complexes, the isonitrile complexes of the gen- eral formula (II) are reacted with a compound of the general formula (III) or (III. a). Preferably, the reaction is performed in the presence of a base, more preferably a tertiary amine, in particular triethylamine. Suitable reaction temperatures are generally in the range from -10 to 100°C, preferably in the range from -0 to 50°C. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction is performed at ambient temperature.

The process in step a1 ) of the invention can be carried out in a suitable solvent which is inert under the respective reaction conditions. Solvents which are generally suitable are, for example, aromatics such as toluene and xylenes, hydrocarbons or mixtures of hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane, ethers such as tert-butyl methyl ether, 1 ,4-dioxane and tetrahydrofuran, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n- butanol, isobutanol, ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, etc.

Advantageously, the reaction of the invention shows full conversions to NHC complexes (I). The reaction can be monitored e.g. by the shift of the IR-stretching frequencies of the isonitrile ligands. The method is also successful in the formation of bicyclic NHC complexes, e.g. by using piperidine or a derivative thereof as precursor.

Step b1 )

The compounds of the general formula (I), wherein R ³ and R ⁴ together with the carbon atom to which they are bound are C=0 and wherein the ring carbon atom adjacent to the carbonyl group bears a hydrogen atom are able to form the corresponding enol tautomers as depicted in scheme 4 for compounds (I-B.1 ) and (I-B.2). Those tautomers are also incorporated by the invention.

Scheme 4 (Keto-enol tautomers)

(I-B.2)

In Scheme 4, M, R ¹ , R ² , R ⁶ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have the aforementioned meanings, in particular the meanings mentioned as preferred. The enolizable compounds of the formula (I) obtained in step a) can be subjected to a further reaction with suitable electrophiles in step b1 ).

Accordingly, compounds of the general formula (I), wherein R ³ and R ⁴ together with the carbon atom to which they are bound are C=0, can be subjected e.g. to a further reac- tion with a compound R ^3a -Z, where Z is a leaving group, in the presence of a suitable base. Preferably Z is selected from halides, tosylates, carboxylates, carbonates, esters, sulfonates and phosphates. Examples of Z are chlorine, bromine, iodine, methanesul- fonate, trifluoromethanesulfonate and toluenesulfonate, with preference given to chlorine and bromine.

The base employed in step b1 ) is preferably a non-nucleophilic base, more preferably a hindered alkali amide base, e.g. lithium diisopropylamide, lithium

bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, potassium

bis(trimethylsilyl)amide.

The reaction in step b1 ) is usually carried out at a temperature in the range from -78°C to ambient temperature, preferably in the range from -78 to 0°C.

Step a2)

In step a2) of the process according to the invention an isonitrile complex of the general formula (II) is reacted with an amine of the formula (V)

wherein

R ² , R ³ and R ⁸ have one of the meanings given above, especially one of the preferred ones; and

R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ have one of the meanings given above; preferably R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ are methyl or ethyl or R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ together form an 1 ,2-ethylene or 1 ,3-propylene moiety, the carbon atoms of which may be unsubstituted or may all or in part be substituted by methyl groups. to give an intermediate compound of the formula VI

R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁸ , R ¹⁰ , R ¹¹ and M have one of the meanings given above, especially one of the preferred ones.

The reaction is usually carried out in an inert organic solvent. Suitable solvents are halogenated hydrocarbons, such as dichloromethane or trichloromethane, and ethers, such as diisopropyl ether, tert.-butyl methyl ether, dioxane, anisole, tetrahydrofuran and dimethoxyethane. The reaction is usually carried out at temperatures of from 0 ^° C to 80 ^° C, preferably from 10 ^° C to 40 ^° C.

The reaction in step a2) can be monitored e.g. by the shift of the IR-streching frequen- cies of the isonitrile ligands. All of the yields were excellent.

According to a further special embodiment, the process depicted in step a2) is used for the formation of compounds of the formula VI, where R ¹ and R ² have different meanings. Preferably, in the compounds of the formula VI, R ¹ is preferably selected from groups of the formulae IV.1 to IV.5, with particular preference given to the formulae IV.1 and IV.2. More preferably, R ¹ is selected from Ci-C6-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl which carries 1 , 2 or 3 radicals independently selected from Ci-C6-alkyl and chlorine. In particular preferably, R ¹ is selected from tert.-butyl, 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl and (2-chloro-6-methyl)phenyl.

Preferably, in the compounds of the formula VI, R ² is selected from alkyl and cycloalkyi, in particular Ci-C6-alkyl, phenyl-Ci-C6-alkyl and Cs-ds-cycloalkyl. In particular, R ² is selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, isobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclododecyl and 1 -adamantyl.

Preferably, in the compounds of the formula VI, R ³ and R ⁸ are independently of each other selected from hydrogen, Ci-C6-alkyl and C6-Cio-aryl.

Preferably, in the compounds of the formula VI, R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ are, independently of each other, selected from Ci-C4-alkyl.

Preferably, in the compounds of the formula VI, M is PdCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ), PtCI ₂ (CNR ¹ ), PdCI(CNR ¹ ) ₂ , Au (CNR ¹ ) and AuCI, where R ¹ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl. In particular, M is AuCI.

Compounds of the formula VI are novel and thus form also part of the invention. They usually are air and moisture stable and can be stored at room temperature without de- composition.

Step b2)

In step b2), the intermediate compound of the formula (VI) is treated with an acid to obtain in situ the corresponding compound (VII) with a carbonyl functional group and subsequently intramolecular ring closure to obtain the compound of the formula l-E as depicted in scheme 5.

Scheme 5:

(l-E)

(VI)

(VII)

In scheme 5, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁸ , R ¹⁰ , R ¹¹ and M have one of the meanings given above, especially one of the preferred ones.

In step i) of scheme 5, compounds VI is treated with an acid to give the intermediate compound VII which reacts further to compound l-E in step ii). Suitable acids are inorganic or organic acids. Examples of suitable inorganic acids are mineral acids such as HCI or organic acids such as p-toluenesulfonic acid. Step i) of scheme 5 is usually carried out under hydrolytic conditions. Suitable solvents are those mentioned in step a1 ).

The reaction temperature is usually in the range from -10 to 100°C, preferably range from 0 to 50°C.

Compounds of the formula V can be obtained as depicted in scheme 6. Scheme 6:

(VIII) (IX)

In Scheme 6, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ < R ⁸ , R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ have one of the meanings given above, in par- ticular one of those being preferred.

In step i) of scheme 6, the amine R ¹ -NH2 is treated with a compound of the formula (VIII) to give the imine of the formula (IX). The reaction is advantageously carried out in the presence of a dehydrating agent such as magnesium sulfate. The reaction is usu- ally carried out in the presence of a solvent. Suitable solvents are halogenated aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane. In step ii) of scheme 6, the imine compound of the formula IX is reduced to yield the amine compound V. Suitable reducing agents are hydrides such as lithium aluminium hydride or sodium borohydride. The reaction is usually carried out in the presence of a solvent. Suitable solvents are Ci-C4-alkanols, e.g. methanol or ethanol.

Step a3)

In the process according to the invention, the desired NHC complexes according to variant a3) having the formula l-F,

where R ¹ , R ² , R ⁴ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ , M and EWG have one of the meanings given above, preferably one of the preferred ones, can be prepared by reacting the isonitrile complexes of the formula I la with an amine of the formula 1Mb or 111 o

(1Mb) (lllc)

where

R ² , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have one of the meanings given above;

Χ- is an anion equivalent; and

EWG is C(0)R ¹⁴ , C(0)OR ¹⁴ , N0 ₂ , S(0)R ¹⁴ or S(0) ₂ R ¹⁴ , where R ¹⁴ is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl.

The reaction is usually carried out in an organic solvent. Suitable organic solvents are aprotic solvents such as a haloalkanes, e.g dichloromethane. The compounds of the general formula (I) according to the invention and/or obtained by the process of the invention can advantageously be employed in NHC metal complex catalyzed reactions. The compounds of the general formula (I) are preferably used as or in a catalyst employed in a C-C, C-O, C-N or C-H bond formation reaction. They are especially used in a C-C coupling reaction, selected from the Suzuki reaction, Heck reaction, Sonogashira reaction, Stille reaction, Hartwig-Buchwald reaction and Kumada reaction. Further, they are especially used in a reaction, selected from the hydrogena- tion, hydroformylation, hydrosilylation, Hartwig-Buchwald reaction and amide a- arylation. (With regard to C-C bond formation by cross-coupling, see: S. P. Nolan and O. Navarro in Comprehensive Organometallic Chemistry III, Vol. 1 1 , 1 ^st ed. (Ed.: A. Canty), Elsevier, Oxford, 2007, Chapter 1 1 .01 , 1 -38, and references therein; b) F. Glorius, Top. Organomet. Chem. 2007, 21 , 1 -20; c) E. A. B. Kantchev, C. J. O ^' Brien and M. J. Organ, Aldrichimica Acta 2006, 39, 97-1 1 1 ) Suzuki cross-coupling (Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling)

The palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between organoboron compounds and organic halides or triflates provides a powerful and general method for the formation of carbon-carbon bonds. For their fundamental work in the field of palladium- catalyzed cross couplings, the Nobel Prize in chemistry 2010 was awarded jointly to A. Suzuki, R. F. Heck and E.i Negishi. Information on the use of NHC metal complexes in the Suzuki reaction can be found in: a) W.A. Herrmann, CP. Reisinger, M. Spiegler, J. Organomet. Chem. 1998, 557, 93; b) CM. Zhang, J.K. Huang, M.L. Trudell, S.P. Nolan, J. Org. Chem. 1999, 64, 3804; c) A. Furstner, A. Leitner, Synlett. 2001 , 290; d) C.W.K. Gstottmayr, V.P.W. Bohm, E. Herdtweck, M. Grosche, W.A. Herrmann, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2002, 41 , 1363.

Preferably, the compounds of the general formula (I) are used in a reaction

R— B(R ^B ) _? + R— E R— R ^C + E-B(R ^B ) ₂

base

wherein

R ^A is selected from in each case unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl and aryl,

R ^B is selected from alkyl, alkoxy and hydroxyl,

R ^c is selected from in each case unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, alkenyl and aryl, E is selected from CI, Br, I, CF3SO3, (OR ^D ) ₂ P(=0)0, wherein R ^D is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl, the base is preferably selected from an alkali metal hydroxide, earth alkali metal hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate, earth alkali metal carbonate, thallium(l) hydroxide, thallium (I) alkanolate, alkali metal phosphate, alkali metal fluoride. Examples for suitable bases are NaOH, KOH, Na ₂ C0 ₃ , K2CO3, Cs ₂ C0 ₃ , Ba(OH) ₂ , K3PO4, TIOH, thallium(l) ethoxide, KF, CsF, (C4H9)4NF, sodium ethoxide, potassium ethoxide and potassium tert-butoxide.

In particular, the compounds of the general formula (I) are used in the following reactions

cat. catalyst of the formula (I)

Sonogashira reaction

The Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction is a palladium (and usually also copper) cata- lyzed coupling of terminal alkynes with aryl halides or vinyl halides to give enynes. Information on the use of NHC metal complexes in the Sonogashira reaction can be found in: a) S. Caddick, F.G.N. Cloke, G.K.B. Clentsmith, P.B. Hitchcock, D. McKerre- cher, L.R. Titcomb, M.R.V. Williams, J. Organomet. Chem. 2001 , 617; b) C.L. Yang, S.P. Nolan, Organometallics 2002, 21, 1020; c) L. Ray, S. Barman, M.M. Shaikh, P. Ghosh, Chem. Eur. J. 2008, 14, 6646. Preferably, the compounds of the general formula (I) are used in a reaction

V ' /

R— E + H-C≡C-R ^F R— C≡C-R ^F

base wherein

R ^E is selected from in each case unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, aryl and

hetaryl, R ^F is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl and Si(R ^G )3,

R ^G is selected from in each case unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl, E is selected from CI, Br, I, CF3SO3, the base being usually an amine, alkanolate, earth alkali metal carbonate or alkalimetal carbonate. Preferably, the base is selected from secondary alkylamines, tertiary alkylamines, alkali metal alkanolates and alkali metal carbonates. The amine compound may be used in excess and serves also as solvent.

Preferred solvents for the Sonogashira reaction are CH3CN, DMF (dimethylformamide) THF (tetrahydrofuran) or ethyl acetate. Preferred base for the Sonogashira reaction are N(C2H ₅ )3, HN(C2H ₅ )2, N(iso- C ₃ H ₇ )2(C2H ₅ ), KO(tert-C ₄ H ₉ ), K2CO3 and Cs ₂ C0 ₃ .

In particular, the compounds of the general formula (I) are used for the reaction of bro- mobenzene and 1 -hexyne. No additional copper source was used.

Information on the use of NHC metal complexes in the Heck reaction can be found in: a) W.A. Herrmann, M. Elison, J. Fischer, C. Kocher, G.R.J. Artus, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 1995, 34, 2371 ; b) E.A.B. Kantchev, C.J. O' Brien, M.G. Organ, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2007, 46, 2768; c) J. Ye, W. Chen, D. Wang, Dalton Trans. 2008, 30, 4015.

Information on the use of NHC metal complexes in the Stille reaction can be found in: G.A. Grasa, S.P. Nolan, Org. Lett. 2001 , 3, 1 19. Information on the use of NHC metal complexes in the Kumada reaction can be found in: V.P.W. Bohm, T. Weskamp, C.W.K. Gstottmayr, W.A. Herrmann, Angew.

Chem. Int. Ed. 2000, 39, 1602. Information on the use of NHC metal complexes in the Hartwig-Buchwald-reaction can be found in: a) S.R. Stauffer, S.W. Lee, J. P. Stambuli, S.I. Hauck, J.F. Hartwig, Org. Lett. 2000, 2, 1423, b) J. Huang, G. Grasa, S.P. Nolan, Org. Lett. 1999, 1, 1307.

Information on the use of NHC metal complexes in the a-arylation of amides can be found in: S. Lee, J.F. Hartwig, J. Org. Chem. 2001 , 66, 3402.

Information on the use of NHC metal complexes in the hydrogenation can be found in: a) H.M. Lee, T. Jiang, E.D. Stevens, S.P. Nolan, Organometallics lOO'l , 20, 1255; b) L.D. Vazquez-Serrano, B.T. Owens, J.M. Buriak, Chem. Comm. 2002, 2518; c) D. Gnanamgari, E.L.O. Sauer, N.D. Schley, C. Butler, CD. Incarvito, R.H. Crabtree, Or- ganometallics 2009, 28, 321 ; d) H. Turkmen, T. Pape, F. Hahn, C. Ekkehardt; Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2008, 34, 5418.

Information on the use of NHC metal complexes in the hydroformylation can be found in: a) J.D. Scholten, J. Dupont, Organometallics 2008, 27, 4439.

Information on the use of NHC metal complexes in the hydrosilylation can be found in: b) W.A. Herrmann, L.J. Goossen, M. Spiegler, J.Organomet. Chem. 1997, 547, 357. The following examples illustrate the invention without restricting it. Examples General methods

All reagents and solvents were obtained from Acros, ABCR, Alfa Aesar, Sigma-Aldrich or VWR and were used without further purification unless otherwise noted. Deuterated solvents were purchased from Euriso-Top. Absolute solvents were dried by a MB SPS- 800 with the aid of drying columns. Preparation of air- and moisture-sensitive materials was carried out in flame dried flasks under an atmosphere of nitrogen using Schlenk- techniques. Cross coupling reactions were performed in technical grade solvents. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed using Polygram ^® precoated plastic sheets SIL G/UV254 (S1O2, 0.20 mm thickness) from Macherey-Nagel. Column chromatography was performed using silica gel (40.0-63.0 nm particle size) from Macherey-Nagel. NMR spectra were recorded on Bruker Avance 500, Bruker Avance 300 and Bruker ARX- 250 spectrometers. Chemical shifts (in ppm) were referenced to residual solvent protons. Signal multiplicity was determined as s (singlet), d (doublet), t (triplet), q (quartet) or m (multiplet). ¹³ C assignment was achieved via DEPT90 and DEPT135 or HSQC-me spectra. MS spectra were recorded on a Vakuum Generators ZAB-2F, Finnigan MAT TSQ 700 or JEOL JMS-700 spectrometer. GC spectra were recorded on HP Agilent 5890 Series II Plus with FID analyser. GC-MS spectra were recorded on an Agilent 5890 Series II Plus with a HP 5972 mass analysator. IR spectra (in cm- ¹ ) were recorded on a Bruker Vector 22 FT-IR. Crystal structure analysis was accomplished on Bruker Smart CCD or Bruker APEX diffractometers. Elemental analysis was performed on an Elementar Vario EL. ReactIR ^® studies were performed on a ReactIR ^® Mettler Toledo IC10.

Syntheses

I. Preparation of starting materials I.O General synthesis of formamides

R ¹ is as defined above.

The amine (1 ) was dissolved in ethyl formate (15 mL) and was heated in an autoclave at 200°C for 12h and at 250°C for another 5h. The precipitate was filtered off and washed with n-pentane. Recrystallisation from acetone/petrol ether (1/5) yielded the formamide compound (2) as colourless crystal.

1.1 Synthesis of isonitrile ligands

1.1 .a General procedure for preparing isonitrile compounds

(2) (3)

R ¹ is as defined above. The formamide (2) was dissolved in absolute dichloromethane. The solution was cooled to - 60°C and POC was added dropwise over a period of 5 min. The suspension was stirred for 20 min and triethylamine was added dropwise over 10 min. The resulting yellow suspension was stirred overnight. During this time, the cooling bath was allowed to warm up to room temperature. Afterwards, the suspension was poured onto ice and warmed up to room temperature. Dichloromethane was added and the layers were separated. The organic layer was washed 3 times with a saturated aqueous solution of NaHC03. The organic phase was dried with Na2S0 ₄ and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by destination or column chromatography (S1O2).

Example I: 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl isonitrile

2,4,6-trimethylaniline (10 g, 73.9 mmol) was dissolved in ethylformiate (15 ml). The mixture was heated in an autoclave at 200°C for 12 h. After this, the solid precipitate was filtered off and washed with pentane. Recrystallization from acetone/petrolether (1/3) yielded N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)formamide as colourless crystals in almost quantitative yield (1 1 .43 g, 96%). All analytical data are in good agreement with the previously reported ones (G. Vougioukalakis, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 2234-2245). The formamide (1 g, 6.13 mmol) was dissolved in absolute dichloromethane (DCM)

(30 ml). The solution was cooled to -60°C in an ethanol/liquid nitrogen bath and POCb (1 .67 ml, 18.3 mmol) was added drop wise over a period of 5 min. The suspension was stirred for 20 min and triethylamine (5.57 g, 55.0 mmol) was added drop wise over 10 min. The resulting yellow suspension was stirred over night. During this time, the cool- ing bath was allowed to warm up to room temperature. Afterwards, the suspension was poured onto ice and warmed up to room temperature. DCM (30 ml) was added and the layers were separated. The organic layer was washed with a saturated solution of Na- HCO3 (3x10 ml). The organic phase was dried with NaS0 ₄ and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by sublimation (50- 55°C, 6.5x10 ^"2 mbar) to yield the title compound as colourless crystals (637 mg, 72%). H NMR (300 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 2.23 (s, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 2.31 (s, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 6.95 (s, 2 H, ArH); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 17.19, 19.53, 127.01 , 133.16, 137.55 (no further signals observed). All analytical data are in good agreement with previously reported ones (G. Vougioukalakis, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 2234-2245).

Example II: 2,6-diisopropylphenyl isonitrile

2,6-diisopropylaniline (purity: 92%, 10 g, 51.9 mmol) was dissolved in ethylformiate (15 ml). The mixture was heated in an autoclave first at 200°C for 12 h after this at 250°C for 5 h. The solid precipitate was filtered off and washed with pentane. Recrystallization from acetone/petrol ether (1/5) yielded N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)formamide as colourless crystals in almost quantitative yield (9.48 g, 46.2 mmol, 89%). The formamide (1 g, 4.87 mmol) was dissolved in absolute DCM (10 ml). The solution was cooled to -60°C in an ethanol/liquid nitrogen bath and POC (1 .33 ml, 14.6 mmol) was added drop wise over a period of 5 min. The suspension was stirred for 20 min and triethylamine (4.43 g, 43.8 mmol) was added drop wise over 10 min. The resulting yellow suspension was stirred over night. During this time, the cooling bath was allowed to warm up to room temperature. Afterwards, the suspension was poured onto ice and warmed up to room temperature. DCM (30 ml) was added and the layers were separated. The organic layer was washed with a saturated solution of NaHC03 (3x10 ml). The organic phase was dried with Na2S0 ₄ and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by distillation (72-80°C, 4.5x10 ^"2 mbar) to yield the title compound as colourless oil (720 mg, 3.84 mmol, 79%).

1H NMR (300 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 1.22 (d, 12 H, J= 7.0 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 3.32 (m, 2 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH-), 7.14 (d, 2 H, J= 7.8 Hz, ArH), 7.29 (t, 1 H, J= 7.7 Hz, ArH); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 23.12, 30.62, 123.94, 130.05, 145.72 (no further signals observed). All analytical data are in good agreement with previously reported ones (U. J. Kilgore, F. Basuli, J. C. Huffman, D. J. Mindiola, Inorg. Chem. 2006, 45, 487-489).

1.2 Synthesis of isonitrile-Pd complexes General procedure:

[Pd(CHsCN)2Cl2] was dissolved in toluene and two equivalents of the isonitrile was added. The mixture was stirred 12 h at room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with cold pentane and dried under reduced pressure to afford the title compounds.

Example III: c/s-[PdCl2(2,6-dimethylphenyl isonitrile)2]

[Pd(CH ₃ CN) ₂ CI ₂ ] (200 mg, 780 mol) was dissolved in toluene (8 ml) and 2,6- dimethylphenyl isonitrile from example II (212 mg, 1 .60 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred 12 h at ambient temperature. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with cold pentane (3x10 ml) and dried under reduced pressure to yield the title compound as white solid (333 mg, 757 mol, 97%).

IR (KBr): v = 2363, 2208, 1632, 1473, 1384, 1 170, 771 , 717, 576, 499, 453; HRMS (FAB ⁺ ) Ci ₈ Hi ₈ N ₂ CIPd [M-Ch] ⁺ : calc. 403.0193, found: 403.0138.

The compounds of the examples IV, V, VI and VII listed below were prepared in an analogous manner to example III. Example IV: c/s-[Pd(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl isonitrile^C ]

The title compound was obtained as white solid (yield: 89%).

IR (KBr): v = 2919, 2210, 1604, 1471 , 1382, 1308, 1035, 853, 712, 600, 568, 502, 473; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: C2oH ₂ 2PdCIN ₃ [M-CI-] ⁺ = 431.0506, found: 431 .0486

Example V: c/s-[PdCl2(2,6-diisopropylphenyl isonitrile)2]

The title compound was obtained as a yellow solid (yield: 83%).

H NMR (300 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 1.21 (d, 12 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 3.26 (m, 2 H, -CH-), 7.17 (d, 2 H, J= 7.8 Hz, ArH), 7.40 (t, 1 H, J= 7.9 Hz, ArH); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 23.24 (q, 8C), 30.78 (d, 4C), 124.77 (d, 6C), 132.52 (s, 4C), 147.24 (s, 2C);

IR (KBr): v = 2966. 2927. 2873, 2209, 1635, 1585, 1475, 1458, 1433, 1388, 1366,

1356, 1259, 1 183, 1062, 800, 751 , 510, 477 cm ^" ; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): m/z = 515.1 140, calcd. for C26H ₃ 4CIN ₂ Pd [M- CI ^" ] ⁺ : 515.1 145, m/z = 480.1760, calcd. for C26H ₃ 4N ₂ Pd [M- 2C|- ] ⁺ : 480.1757.

Example VI: c/s-[PdCl2(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl isonitrile)2]

The title compound was obtained as a white solid (yield: 95%).

H NMR (300 MHz, CDCI ₃ ): δ = 2.45 (s; 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 7.09 - 7.26 (m; 3 H, ArH); IR (KBr): v = 2206, 1632, 1461 , 1 177, 873, 782, 71 1 , 569 ¹³ C NMR (75 MHz, CDCI ₃ ): δ = 19.34, 77.43, 127.96, 129.19, 129.59, 131.78, 132.09, 139.68; HRMS (FAB ⁺ )

Ci ₆ Hi ₂ N ₂ CI ₃ Pd [M-CI-] ⁺ : calc. 442.9101 , found: 442.9069

Example VII: c/s-[PdCI ₂ (fert-butyl)¾]

The title compound was obtained as a white solid (yield 92%). The analytical data are in good agreement with the previously reported ones S. Otsuka, Y. Tatsuno, K. Ataka, J. Am. Chem. Soc 1971 , 93, 6705-6706.

1.3 Synthesis of isonitrile-Au(l) complexes

General procedure:

One equivalent of [AuCI(tetrahydrothiophene)] was dissolved in dichloromethane (DCM) and 1 equiv. isonitrile was added at room temperature. The mixture was stirred for 15 min. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crystalline crude product was used without further purification.

Example VIII: [AuCI(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl isonitrile)]

[AuCI(tetrahydrothiophene)] (500 mg, 1.56 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (10 ml) and 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl isonitrile from example I (233 mg, 1 .56 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred 12 h at ambient temperature. After this, the solvent was removed and the resulting white precipitate was washed with pentane (3x10 ml) to yield the complex as white solid (583 mg, 1 .54 mmol, 99%).

H NMR (300 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 2.28 (s, 6 H, CH ₃ ), 2.34 (s, 3 H, CH ₃ ), 6.95 (s, 2 H, ArH); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 18.76, 21 .59, 129.50, 136.42, 142.30; IR (KBr): v = 2917, 2207 (-NC), 1602, 1474, 1387, 1308, 1201 , 1040, 857, 753, 713, 567, 493; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: CioHi ₂ AuCIN [M+H] ⁺ = 378.0324, found: 378.0332.

The compounds of the examples IX and X listed below were prepared in an analogous manner to example VIII.

Example IX: [AuCI(2,6-diisopropylphenyl isonitrile)]

The title compound was obtained in a yield of 99%.

H NMR (300 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 1.24 (d, 12 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 3.2 (m, 2 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH-), 7.22 (d, 2 H, J= 7.9 Hz, ArH), 7.45 (t, 1 H, J= 7.8 Hz, ArH); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 22.75 (q, 4C), 30.43 (d, 2C), 124.42 (d, 3C), 132.06 (s, 2C), 146.87 (s); IR (KBr): v = 2946, 2867, 2208 (-NC), 1632, 1462, 1385, 1364, 1261 , 1 185, 1 109, 1062, 936, 799, 750, 534; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: Ci ₃ Hi ₇ AuN [M-CI-] ⁺ = 384.1027,

found: 384.1030

Example X: [AuCI(feri-butyl isonitrile)]

The title compound was obtained in a yield of 99%. All analytical data are in good agreement with the previously reported ones R. Heathcote, J. A. S. Howell, N.

Jennings, D. Cartlidge, L. Cobden, C. Coles, M. Hursthouse, Dalton Trans. 2007, 13, 1309-1315.

1.4 Synthesis of isonitrile-Pt(ll) complexes

General procedure:

[Pt(CH ₃ CN) ₂ CI ₂ ] was dissolved in CHCI ₃ and an appropriate isonitrile was added. The mixture was stirred 12 h at reflux. The solvent was removed and the resulting colourless solid was washed with pentane affording the isonitrile-Pt(ll) complexes.

Example XI: c/s-[PtCI ₂ (2,6-diisopropylphenyl isonitrile) ₂ ]

[Pt(CH ₃ CN) ₂ CI ₂ ] (272 mg, 780 mol) was dissolved in CHCI ₃ (15 ml) and 2,6- dimethylphenylisonitrile (212 mg, 1.60 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred 12 h at reflux. The solvent was removed and the resulting colourless solid was washed with pentane (3x 10 ml) yielding the title compound (489 mg, 749 mol, 96%). ¹ H NMR (500 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 1 .25 (d, 12 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 3.29 (m, 2 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH-), 7.22 (d, 2 H, J= 7.8 Hz, ArH), 7.42 (t, 1 H, J= 7.8 Hz, ArH), ¹³ C-NMR (125 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 22.89 (q, 8C), 30.38 (d, 4C), 124.31 (d, 6C), 131.72 (s, 4C), 146.67 (s, 2C); IR (KBr): v = 2966, 2929, 2869, 2219, 2189, 1475, 1465, 1457, 1436, 1386, 1365, 1 184, 1062, 938, 804, 797, 747, 736, 491 cm- ; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): m/z = 604.2060, calcd. for C26H ₃ 4CIN ₂ Pt [M- CI ^" ] ⁺ : 604.2058, m/z = 569.2372, calcd. for C26H ₃ 4N ₂ Pt [M- 2C|- ] ⁺ : 569.2370..

2-(Chloroethyl)ammonium chlorides of the general formula III (Y

R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ have the aforementioned meanings, DCM is dichloromethane.

The synthesis of the 2-(chloroethyl)ammonium chlorides has been accomplished ac- cording to literature procedures, e.g. A. Habtemariam, B. Watchman, B. S. Potter, R. Palmer, S. Parsons, A. Parkin, P. J. Sadler, J. Chem. Soc, Dalton Trans. 2001 , 8, 1306-1318 starting from commercially available amino alcohols.

1.6 Synthesis of amino alcohols

Example XII: 2-(adamantan-1ylamino)ethanol

1 -Adamantylamine (1 g, 6.05 mmol) and 2-iodoethanol (1.20 g, 7.00 mmol) were dissolved in benzonitrile (2 ml). The mixture was heated at 120 °C for 12 h. After this, the precipitate was filtered off and carefully washed with petrolether (3x20 ml). The white solid was dissolved in DCM (30 ml) and washed with a saturated solution of Na2CC"3 (3x 50 ml). The organic layer was separated, dried with Na2S0 ₄ and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to yield the title compound as colourless oil (950 mg, 4.86 mmol, 80 %).

H NMR (250 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 1.55 (m, 12 H, -CH ₂ -), 1 .99 (bs, 5 H, -CH- and over- lapping OH, NH), 2.65 (t, 2 H, J= 5 Hz, -CH ₂ -), 3.44 (t, 2 H, J= 5.1 Hz, -CH ₂ -); all spectroscopic data are in good agreement with previously reported ones, e.g. P. E. Aldrich, E. C. Herrmann, W. E. Meier, M. Paulshock, W. W. Prichard, J. A. Snyder, J. C. Watts, J. Med. Chem. 1971 , 14, 535-543. 1.7 Preparation of N-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)amines of the general formula V

R ² , R ³ , R ⁸ , R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ have the aforementioned meanings.

In a typical protocol, one equivalent of the amine R ² NH2 was dissolved in dichloro- methane and MgS0 ₄ and 1 .5 equivalents of compoun (4) were added. The mixture was stirred for 12 h at room temperature. Afterwards, the MgS0 ₄ was filtered off and the solvent evaporated. The analytically pure imines were used without further purification. The obtained imines were dissolved in dry methanol and 2 equiv. of NaBH ₄ were added at 0 °C. After removal of the ice bath, the mixture was stirred for another 2 h. The reac- tion was quenched with water, diluted with dichloromethane and the organic phase was washed with saturated NH4CI solution and brine. The crude product was purified by distillation or column chromatography (S1O2) to give the title compound

Example XIII: N-(2,2-Dimethoxyethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylaniline

The title compound was prepared according to the general procedure using 2.50 g

(18.5 mmol) of mesitylamine, 3.2 g (27.3 mmol) of 2,2-dimethoxyacetaldehyde (60 % in water) and 3.00 g of MgS0 ₄ in 100 ml of dichloromethane. After filtration of the solvent, A/-(2,2-dimethoxyethylidene)-2,4,6-trimethylaniline was afforded as a yellowish solid; yield: 4.05 g (18.3 mmol, 99%). H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCI ₃ ): δ = 2.07 (s, 6H, CH ₃ ), 2.24 (s, 3H, CH ₃ ), 3.31 (s, 6H, OCH ₃ J, 4.87 (d, J = 4.5 Hz, 1 H, CH(OMe) ₂ ), 6.83 (s, 2H, ArH), 7.42 (d, J = 4.5 Hz, 1 H, CH=N); ³ C-NMR (75 MHz, CDC ): δ = 18.31 (q, 2C), 20.79 (q), 54.32 (q, 2C), 103.61 (d), 125.82 (d, 2C), 128.87 (s, 2C), 133.52 (s), 147.53 (s), 163.5 (d); IR (KBr): v = 3431 , 2999, 2955, 2914, 2836, 1667, 1480, 1455, 1442, 1375, 1308, 1215, 1 194, 1 147, 1098, 1065, 1004, 983, 849, 782 cm ^{" 1} ; HR-MS (El ⁺ ): m/z = 221.1388, calcd. for C13H19O2N [M] ⁺ : 221.1416.

A/-(2,2-dimethoxyethylidene)-2,4,6-trimethylaniline (2.40 g, 10.9 mmol) was dissolved in 50 ml of dry methanol under an atmosphere of nitrogen and 533 mg of NaBH ₄ (14.1 mmol) was added. After workup the crude product was purified by destination (120 °C, 6x10- ² mbar); yield: 2.12 g (mmol, 87.1 %); H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCI ₃ ): δ = 2.27 (s, 3H, CH ₃ ), 2.31 (s, 6H, CH ₃ ), 3.12 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 1 H, CH(OMe) ₂ ), 3.26 (bs, NH), 3.44 (s, 6H, OCH3J, 4.51 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H, CH ₂ ), 6.86 (s, 2H, ArH); ³ C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCI3): δ = 18.27 (q, 2 C), 20.57 (q), 49.73 (t), 53.74 (q, 2C), 103.46 (t), 129.43 (d, 2C), 131 .38 (q, 2C), 131 .38 (d), 143.05 (s); IR (KBr): v = 3379,2936, 2856, 2832, 1486, 1447, 1376, 1306, 1236, 1 194, 1 157, 1 131 , 1074, 1034, 977, 924, 854, 739, 564 cm ^{" 1} ; HR-MS (El ⁺ ): m/z = 223.1573, calcd. for C13H21O2N [M] ⁺ : 223.1572.

1.8 Synthesis of compounds of formuala 1Mb with EWG being CO(0)CH3 (cyclododecylamino)but-2-enoate

Under an atmosphere of nitrogen (E)-methyl 4-bromobut-2-enoate (5.70 g, 31.8 mmol), cyclododecanamine (6.41 g, 35.0 mmol) and CS2CO3 were suspended in absolute tet- rahydrofuran (THF) (150.0 ml). The mixture was heated at reflux for 12 h and NH4CI (saturated solution, 100 ml) was added. The mixture was extracted with DCM (three times, 50.0 ml). The organic layer was dried with Na2S0 ₄ and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by column chromatography using silica and petrol ether/ethyl acetate (4:1 ) to yield the title compound as yellow solid (5.54 g, 19.7 mmol, 62 %). H NMR (300 MHz, CD2CI2) δ= 1 .07-1 .54 (m, 23 H, - CH ₂ -, -NH-), 2.67 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 3.44 (dd, J= 5.4, 2.2 Hz, 2 H, -CH ₂ -), 3.75 (s, 3 H, - CH ₃ ), 6.02 (dd, J= 15.7, 2.1 Hz, 1 H, =CH-), 7.01 (dq, J= 15.7, 5.2 Hz, 1 H, =CH-).

II. Synthesis of NHC-(transition metal) complexes of the formula I

11.1 Synthesis of NHC-(transition metal) complexes of the formula l-A.2.1

11.1.1 Synthesis of NHC-Pd(ll) complexes

General procedure for the synthesis of NHC-Pd(ll) complexes

In a typical protocol the c/s-(isonitrile)-Pd(ll) complex (321 μηηοΙ) and the 2- (chloroethyl)ammonium chloride (350 μηηοΙ) were suspended in absolute THF. triethyl amine (0.5 ml, 6.81 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred for 12 h at ambient temperature. After this all the volatiles were removed under reduced pressure and the solid was dissolved in DCM (20 ml). The solution was extracted with a saturated solution of NH4CI (20 ml). The organic layer was dried with Na2S0 ₄ and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude product was dissolved in a minimum of DCM and covered with a layer diethyl ether, inducing crystallization of the NHC-Pd(ll) complexes as colourless crystals. The crystals were filtered off, washed with diethyl ether and dried under reduced pressure. All the complexes of examples 1 to 15 listed below in table I are air and moisture stable compounds and can be stored at ambient temperature without decomposition.

Table I

(l-A.2.1 ) with M being PdCI ₂ (CNR ¹ )

The physicochemical data of the complexes of the examples 1 to 14 are listed below:

Example 1 :

H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): δ = 2.06 (s; 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 2.30 (s; 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 2.44 (s; 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 3.52 (s; 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 3.98 (m; 4 H, -CH ₂ -), 7.25 (m; 6 H, ArH); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, DMSO): δ = 17.35, 17.93, 18.68, 37.20, 51 .05, 51.20, 128.31 , 128.42, 128.93, 129.06, 130.68, 135.33, 135.62, 136.77, 137.71 , 182.03; IR (KBr): v = 3443, 2951 , 2919, 2195, 1631, 1541, 1491, 1473, 1411, 1383, 1317, 1276, 1116, 780, 734, 619; HRMS (FAB ⁺ ) C19H25N3CIPJ [M-CI-] ⁺ : calc.460.0772, found: 460.0763.

Example 2:

1H NMR (600 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 1.34 (d, 3 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1.39 (d, 3 H, J= 6.7 Hz, -CHs), 2.01 (s, 3 H, -CHs), 2.27 (s, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 2.47 (s, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 3.82-3.91 (m, 4 H, -CH2-), 5.40 (m, 1 H, J= 6.9, 6.3 Hz, -CH-), 6.94 (dd, 1 H, J= 7.3, 1.9 Hz, ArH), 7.1 (d, 2 H, J= 7.6 Hz, ArH), 7.17-7.27 (m, 3 H, ArH); ³ C NMR (125 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 18.11, 18.92, 19.40, 20.13, 20.93, 43.61, 51.02, 52.25, 128.65, 128.70, 129.62, 130.01, 130.70, 135.64, 136.19, 137.30, 138.70,184.22; ⁵ N NMR (600 MHz, CD2CI2, urea): δ = 131.78, 148.43, 171.32; IR (KBr): v = 2970, 2925, 2358,2195 (-NC), 1633, 1509, 1467, 1368, 1314, 1271, 1192, 1127, 1102, 1056, 935, 782, 623, 602, 569; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: C23H ₂ 9CIN ₃ Pd [M-CI-] ⁺ = 488.1085, found: 488.1104. Example 3:

H NMR (300 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 0.98-1.86 (m, 10 H, -CH ₂ -), 1.98 (s, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 2.23 (s, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 2.44 (s, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 3.81 (m, 4 H, -CH ₂ -), 4.87 (tt, 1 H, J= 10.7, 3.8 Hz, -CH-) 6.9 (dd, 1 H, J= 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.07 (d, 2 H, J= 8.4 Hz, ArH), 7.12 (m, 3 H, ArH); 3C NMR (75 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 18.49, 19.23, 19.80, 25.91, 26.04, 26.12, 31.18, 32.07, 45.24, 51.33, 60.10, 129.02, 129.06, 129.99, 130.38, 131.05, 136.04, 136.57, 139.11, 184.56; IR (KBr): v = 2931 , 2855, 2193 (-NC), 1632, 1510, 1454, 1380, 1333, 1300, 1272, 1170, 1100, 1032, 990, 894, 780, 623, 570; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: C ₂₆ H ₃₃ CIN ₃ Pd [M-CI-] ⁺ = 530.1398, found: 530.1397. Example 4:

(Mixture of diastereoisomers) ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 1.05-1.81 (m, 10 H, -CH2), 1.92 (s, -CH ₃ ), 2.06 (s, -CH ₃ ), 2.17 (s, -CH ₃ ), 2.39 (s, -CH ₃ ), 2.55 (s, CH ₃ ), 4.03 (dd, J= 11.3, 5.6 Hz, -CH ₂ ), 4.15 (dd, J= 11.3, 6.0 Hz, -CH ₂ ), 4.33 (t, J= 11.3 Hz, -CH ₂ ), 4.88 (dd, J= 11.8, 5.6 Hz, -CH-), 5.03 (dd, J= 11.6, 6.0 Hz, -CH-), 5.16 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 6.73 (m, 1 H, ArH), 6.96-7.32 (m, 10 H, ArH); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 18.27, 18.51, 18.81, 19.08, 19.71, 19.87,25.10,25.44,25.48, 30.24,30.75,31.38,31.77, 50.75, 52.29, 59.58, 59.99, 66.51, 66.56, 77.44, 127.98, 128.01, 128.30, 128.49, 129.07, 129.20, 129.27, 129.57, 129.68, 129.90, 130.36, 130.45, 183.36, 183.98; IR (KBr): v = 3031, 2932, 2855, 2193, 1631, 1509, 1474, 1453, 1416, 1382, 1296, 1250, 1210, 1168, 1101, 1034, 998, 780, 701; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: C ₃₂ H ₃₇ CIN ₃ Pd [M-CI-] ⁺ = 604.1711, found: 604.1722

Example 5: H NMR (300 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 1.32 (d, 3 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .37 (d, 3 H, J= 6.6 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .95 (s, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 2.22 (s, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 2.25 (s, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 2.26 (s, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 2.41 (s, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 3.71 -3.92 (m, 4 H, -CH ₂ -), 5.38 (m, 1 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH-), 6.73 (s, 1 H, ArH), 6.90 (s, 2 H, ArH), 7.00 (s, 1 H, ArH); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 18.37, 19.14, 19.67, 20.50, 21.27, 21.58, 21.88, 43.86, 51.42, 52.53, 58.95, 129.69, 129.75, 131 .02, 135.09, 135.56, 136.25, 138.54, 139.96, 141 .77, 184.74; IR (KBr): v = 2971 , 2193, 1608, 1510, 1458, 1382, 1314, 1271 , 1 197, 1 105, 1058, 855, 713, 625, 599, 573, 460, 428; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: C ₂₅ H ₃₃ CIN ₃ Pd [M-CI-] ⁺ = 516.1398, found: 516.1391 Example 6:

H NMR (300 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 1.05 (d, 3 H, J= 3.3 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .07 (d, 3 H, J= 3.4 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .13 (d, 3 H, J= 7.0 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .19 (d, 6 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .21 (d, 6 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 2.88 (m, 1 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH-), 3.24 (m, 3 H, -CH-), 3.71 -4.01 (m, 4 H, -CH ₂ -), 5.47 (dm, 1 H, J= 7.0, 6.6 Hz, -CH-), 7.18, 7.17 (dd, 1 H, J= 7.7, 1 .4 Hz, ArH), 7.19 (d, 2 H, J= 7.7 Hz, ArH), 7.29 (dd, 1 H, J= 7.8, 1 .7 Hz, ArH), 7.40 (m, 2 H, ArH); 3C NMR (75 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 20.65, 21.17, 23.49, 23.63, 23.87, 24.51 , 27.22, 27.26, 29.29, 29.54, 30.36, 43.67,53.03, 124.73, 125.01 , 126.19, 130.76, 131.80, 134.57, 146.85, 146.96, 149.31 , 185.97 ; IR (KBr): v = 2965, 2930, 2870, 2185, 1497, 1459, 1433, 1386, 1366, 1348, 1331 , 1315, 1267, 1 184, 1 1 13, 1058, 806, 751 , 628; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: C ₃ iH ₄₅ CIN ₃ Pd [M-CI-] ⁺ = 600.2337, found: 600.2335

Example 7:

H NMR (500 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 1.03 (d, 3 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .04 (d, 3 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .1 1 (d, 3 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .17 (d, 6 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .20 (d, 6 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .34 (d, 3 H, J= 6.7 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .42-1 .73 (m, 6 H, -CH ₂ -), 1.85 (m, 3 H, -CH ₂ -), 2.86 (m, 1 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH-), 3.21 (m, 2 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH-), 3.27 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 4.93 (tt, 1 H, J= 1 1.4, 3.7 Hz, -CH-), 7.15 (dd, 1 H, J= 7.7, 1 .3 Hz, ArH), 7.18 (d, 2 H, J= 7.9 Hz, ArH), 7.28 (dd, 1 H, J= 7.8, 1 .4 Hz, ArH), 7.39 (td, 2 H, J= 7.8, 2.1 Hz, ArH); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 20.65, 21.17, 23.49, 23.63, 23.87, 24.51 , 27.22, 27.26, 29.29, 29.54, 30.36, 43.69, 53.03, 124.73, 125.01 , 126.19, 130.76, 131 .80,

134.57, 146.85, 146.96, 149.31 , 185.97; IR (KBr): v = 2963, 2931 , 2867, 2188, 1589, 1500, 1458, 1386, 1365, 1336, 1304, 1269, 1 184, 1 1 1 1 , 1055, 804, 750, 731 , 626; HR- MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: C ₃₄ H ₄₉ CIN ₃ Pd [M-CI-] ⁺ = 640.2650, found: 640.2672

Example 8:

H NMR (300 MHz, CDCI ₃ ): δ = 1 .0 (d, 3 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .02 (d, 3 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .07 (d, 3 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .17 (d, 6 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .19 (d, 6 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .4 (d, 3 H, J= 6.4 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .69 (m, 6 H, -CH ₂ -), 2.23 (m, 3 H, -CH-), 2.43 (m, 3 H, -CH-, -CH ₂ -), 2.74 (m, 3 H, -CH-, -CH ₂ -), 2.86 (m, 1 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH-), 3.24 (m, 2 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH-), 3.36 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 3.66-4.01 (m, 4 H, -CH ₂ -), 7.06 (dd, 1 H, J= 7.7, 1 .6 Hz, ArH), 7.12 (d, 2 H, J= 7.8 Hz, ArH), 7.25 (dd, 1 H, J= 7.8, 1 .8 Hz, ArH), 7.33 (td, 2 H, J= 7.9, 2.8 Hz, ArH); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CDCI ₃ ): δ = 23.09, 23.33, 23.57, 24.14, 27.01 , 27.10, 28.94, 29.16, 29.75, 30.02, 36.12, 42.96, 45.90, 52.74, 59.42, 124.04, 124.06, 125.93, 130.17, 131 .02, 135.49, 145.74, 146.33, 148.95,

184.88; IR (KBr): v = 2965, 291 1 , 2869, 2186, 1630, 1478, 1456, 1386, 1363, 1330, 1305, 1256, 1 190, 1 100, 1056, 804, 751 , 620; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: CssHssCINsPd [M-CI-] ⁺ = 692.2963, found: 692.2974 Example 9:

(Mixture of diastereoisomers); ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = -0.14 (d, J= 6.6 Hz, -CHs), -0.06 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 0.79 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .06-1.99 (m, 29 H), 1 .56- 3.1 1 (m, 3 H, -CH2-), 3.44 (m, J= 6.6 Hz, -CH-), 3.87 (dd, J= 1 1 .4, 4.0 Hz, -CH ₂ -), 4.01 (m, -CH2-), 4.36 (m, -CH ₂ -), 4.88 (dd, J= 1 1.2, 4.0 Hz, -CH-), 5.1 1 (m, -CH-), 6.97-7.45 (m, 1 1 H, ArH); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 22.46, 22.80, 23.54, 23.62, 23.85, 24.51 , 24.73, 25.00, 25.50, 25.58, 25.77, 26.49, 26.79, 26.90, 28.87, 28.96, 29.26, 29.42, 30.01 , 30.1 1 , 30.25, 30.81 , 31.58, 31 .79, 46.15, 52.14, 60.20, 60.68, 68.09, 68.79, 123.97, 124.27, 124.44, 124.62, 124.98, 125.88, 126.28, 128.09, 128.27, 129.64, 129.75, 129.85, 131.16, 131 .47, 133.04, 134.34, 139.45, 140.07, 145.68, 145.78, 146.94, 147.27, 147.70, 150.06, 184.67, 186.02; IR (KBr): v = 2943, 2858,

2195, 1631 , 1512, 1486, 1473, 1443, 1381 , 1354, 1307, 1273, 1253, 1 168, 1 143, 1096, 101 1 , 779, 632; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: C ₄ oH ₅ 3CIN ₃ Pd [M-CI-] ⁺ = 716.2963, found:

716.3002 Example 10:

H NMR (300 MHz, CDCIs): δ = 1 .49 (s, 9 H, CH ₃ ), 1 .71 (s, 9 H, CH ₃ ), 3.57 (s, 3 H, CH ₃ ), 3.73 (m, 4 H, CH ₂ ); ¹³ C NMR (75 MHz, CDCI ₃ ): δ = 30.23, 30.72, 39.22, 47.71 , 50.57, 53.64, 56.97, 77.65, 183.1 ; IR (KBr): v = 3444, 2980, 2218, 1630, 1530, 1466, 1371 , 1324, 1287, 1200, 1 136, 620; HRMS (FAB ⁺ ) Ci ₃ H ₂₄ N ₃ Pd [M-HCI ₂ ] ⁺ : calc.

328.101 1 , found: 328.1005

Example 1 1 :

H NMR (300 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 1.19 (d, 3 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .26 (d, 3 H, J= 6.7 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .45 (s, 9 H, -CH ₃ ), 1.65 (s, 9 H, -CH ₃ ), 3.38-3.79 (m, 4 H, -CH ₂ -), 5.56 (m, 1 H, J= 6.7 Hz, -CH-); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 18.55, 19.27, 29.01 , 29.44, 40.68, 46.02, 52.17, 55.79; IR (KBr): v = 2979, 2936, 2876, 2217, 1635, 1504, 1454, 1400, 1369, 1322, 1285, 1235, 1 197, 1 11 1 , 806, 622, 594, 523; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc:

Ci ₅ H ₂₉ CIN ₃ Pd [M-CI-] ⁺ = 392.1085, found: 392.1074 Example 12:

H NMR (300 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 0.98-2.12 (m, 10 H, -CH ₂ -), 1 .45 (s, 9 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .66 (s, 9 H, -CHs), 3.39-3.77 (m, 4 H, -CH ₂ -), 5.06 (m, 1 H, -CH-); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 24.42, 24.53, 29.00, 29.14, 29.45, 30.07, 41 .97, 45.97, 55.83, 59.82, 179.92; IR (KBr): v = 2918, 2933, 2856, 2216, 1631 , 1502, 1451 , 1371 , 1313, 1283, 1263, 1247, 1225, 1 195, 1088, 1031 , 804, 622; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: CisHssCINsPd [M-CI-] ⁺ = 432.1398, found: 432.1410

Example 13:

1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCIs): δ = 2.35 (s, 3 H, CH ₃ ), 2.58 (s, 3 H, CH ₃ ), 3.66 (s, 3 H, CHs), 4.02 (m, 4 H, CH ₂ ), 7.14 (m, 1 H, ArH), 7.19 (m, 1 H, ArH), 7.27 (m, 2 H, ArH), 7.30 (m, 2 H, ArH) ppm; ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CDCIs): δ = 19.37, 19.75, 38.20, 50.94, 52.10, 77.45, 127.56, 127.74, 129.31 , 130.62, 130.99, 131 .03, 131.13, 133.06, 135.22, 138.96, 141.41 , 186.60; IR (KBr): v = 3431 , 2202, 1632, 1549, 1487, 1458, 1413, 1319, 1273, 1 1 14, 781 , 730, 617; HRMS (FAB ⁺ ) CigHigNsClsPd [M-Ch] ⁺ : calc.

499.9679, found: 499.9636

Example 14:

(Mixture of diastereoisomers); ¹ H NMR (500 MHz, CDCIs): δ = 1 .45-2.02 (m; 8 H, CH ₂ ), 2.01 (s, -CHs), 2.03 (s, -CH ₃ ), 2.27 (s, -CH ₃ ), 2.29 (s, -CH ₃ ), 2.52 (s, -CH ₃ ), 2.54 (s,

-CHs), 3.32 (td, J= 12.7, 3.3 Hz, -CH ₂ -), 5.07 (m, -CH ₂ -), 5.14 (m, -CH ₂ -), 6.85-6.91 (m, ArH), 7.08-7.10 (m, ArH), 7.16-7.26 (m, ArH); IR (KBr): v = 2939, 2856, 2196, 1631 , 1519, 1443, 1381 , 1307, 1273, 1254, 782, 631 , 577; HRMS (FAB ⁺ ) C ₂₄ H ₂₉ N ₃ CIPd

[M-HCI] ⁺ : calc. 500.1085, found: 500.1060

Example 15:

(Mixture of diastereoisomers, major isomer); ¹ H NMR (500 MHz, CDCIs): δ = 0.00 (d, J = 6.6 Hz, 3 H, -CHs), 0.88 (d, J = 6.6 Hz, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .09 (d, J = 6.6 Hz, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .09 (d, J = 6.6 Hz, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .26 - 1 .73 (m, 25 H, -CH ₂ -), 1 .59 (d, J = 6.6 Hz, 6 H, -CHs), 1 .68 (m, 2 H, -CH ₂ -), 1 .97 (m, 1 H, -CH ₂ -), 2.22 (m, 1 H, -CH ₂ -), 2.59 (m, J = 6.6 Hz, 2 H, -CH-), 2.84 (m, J = 6.6 Hz, 1 H, -CH-), 3.54 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 3.83 (m, 1 H, -CH ₂ - ), 4.29 (m, 1 H, -CH ₂ -), 4.83 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 5.24 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 6.99 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1 H, ArH), 7.05 ( d, J = 7.7 Hz, 2 H, ArH), 7.17 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1 H, ArH), 7.25 - 7.33 (m, 5 H, ArH), 7.37 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 2 H, ArH); ³ C NMR (125 MHz, CDCIs): δ = 22.83 (2 C), 23.09 (2 C), 23.67, 24.60, 25.36 (2 C), 26.52, 26.58, 26.72 (2 C), 26.94 (2 C), 27.07, 27.08, 27.1 1 , 27.22, 27.45 (2 C), 28.71 , 28.80, 29.65 (2 C), 30.83, 32.50, 52.72, 60.84, 68.75, 123.50 (2 C), 124.1 1 , 126.06, 128.04 (2 C), 129.54, 129.56 (2 C), 129.61 , 130.74, 134.22, 139.64, 145.34, 145.51 (2 C), 140.34, 186.39. 11.1.2 Synthesis NHC-Au(l) complexes

General procedure for the synthesis of NHC-Au(l) complexes In a typical protocol the (isonitrile)-Au(l) complex (132 μηηοΙ) and the 2-

(chloroethyl)ammonium chloride (396 μηηοΙ) were suspended in absolute DCM.

Triethylamine (0.5 ml, 6.81 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred for 96 h at ambient temperature. After this all the volatiles were removed under reduced pressure and the solid was dissolved in DCM (10 ml). The solution was extracted with a saturated solution of NH4CI (20 ml). The organic layer was dried with Na2S0 ₄ and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude products were purified by column chromatography (S1O2, mixtures of petrol ether and ethyl acetate; examples 15 and 18: petrolether/ethyl acetate, 2/1 ; example 16: petrolether/ethyl acetate, 5/1 and example 17: petrolether/ethyl acetate, 1/1 ). All the complexes of examples 15 to 18 listed below in table II are air and moisture stable compounds and can be stored at ambient temperature without decomposition.

Table II

(l-A.2.1 ) with M being AuCI

The physicochemical data of the complexes of the examples 16 to 19 are listed below:

Example 16:

R ^f (petrol ether/ethyl acetate 2/1 )= 0.28; ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 1 .28 (d, 6 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CHs), 2.17 (s, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .26 (s, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 3.72 (s, 4 H, -CH ₂ -), 4.79 (m, 1 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH-), 6.92 (s, 2 H, ArH); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 17.01 , 19.63, 20.09, 42.34, 49.34, 50.89, 128.68, 134.64, 135.19, 138.03, 191 .54; IR (KBr): v = 2968, 1609, 1506, 1456, 1369, 1344, 1322, 1276, 1263, 1202, 1 161 , 1099, 1058, 1021 , 862, 804, 613, 604, 582; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: Ci ₅ H ₂ 3CIN ₂ Au [M+H ⁺ ] ⁺ = 463.1215, found: 463.1 194

Example 17:

R ^f (petrol ether/ethyl acetate 5/1 )= 0.22; H NMR (500 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 1.69 (s, 6 H), 2.16 (s, 9 H), 2.26 (s, 3 H), 2.38 (s, 6 H), 3.60 (m, 2 H, -CH ₂ -), 3.89 (m, 2 H, -CH ₂ -), 6.92 (s, 2 H, ArH); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 18.17, 21.27, 30.42, 36.37, 43.75, 46.86, 49.30, 57.43, 129.79, 136.12, 137.20, 139.01 , 192.76; IR (KBr): v = 2909, 2851 , 1631 , 1543, 1494, 1449, 1360, 1312, 1272, 1 192, 1 142, 1 103, 1036, 852, 817, 674, 607, 581

Example 18:

H NMR (300 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 1.19 (d, 6 H, J= 7.0 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .29 (d, 12 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 2.86 (m, 2 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH-), 3.74 (s, 4 H, -CH ₂ -), 4.81 (m, 1 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH-), 7.19 (d, 2 H, J= 7.8 Hz, ArH), 7.38 (m, 1 H, ArH); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 19.67, 23.31 , 23.91 , 27.72, 42.34, 50.92, 51.98, 123.74. 128.89, 134.09, 146.23, 192.18; ¹⁵ N NMR (600 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ , urea): δ = 130.29, 146.50; I R (KBr): v = 2964, 2926, 2867, 1631 , 1502, 1460, 1385, 1367, 1318, 1274, 1236, 1 192, 1 163, 1 1 1 1 , 1059, 1019, 808, 763, 601 ; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: Ci ₈ H ₂₉ CIN ₂ Au [M+H ⁺ ] ⁺ = 505.1685, found: 505.1652

Example 19:

R ^f (petrol ether/ethyl acetate // 2/1 )= 0.18; ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 1 .19 (d, 6 H, J= 6.8 Hz; -CH ₃ ), 1 .57 (s, 9 H, -CH ₃ ), 3.4 (dd, J= 1 1 .4, 8.9 Hz, -CH ₂ ), 3.64 (dd, J= 1 1 .4, 8.9 Hz, -CH ₂ ), 4.88 (m, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH-); ³ C NMR (125 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 20.61 , 30.92, 41.92, 47.40, 53.65, 56.06, 191 .32; IR (KBr): v = 2968, 2875, 1494, 1450, 1397, 1366, 1328, 1282, 1235, 1202, 1 1 17, 955, 71 1 , 676, 610, 521 , 436; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: Ci ₀ H ₂ iCIN ₂ Au [M+H ⁺ ] ⁺ = 401.1059, found: 401 .1005

11.1.3 General procedure for the synthesis of NHC-Pt(ll) complexes

In a typical protocol the c/s-(isonitrile)-Pt(ll) complex (156 μηηοΙ) and the 2- (chloroethyl)ammonium chloride (200 μηηοΙ) were suspended in absolute DCM.

Triethylamine (0.25 ml, 3.4 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred for 72 h at ambient temperature. After this all the volatiles were removed under reduced pressure and the solid was dissolved in DCM (10 ml). The solution was extracted with a saturated solution of NH4CI (20 ml). The organic layer was dried with Na ₂ S0 ₄ and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. All the complexes of examples 19 and 20 listed below in table III are air and moisture stable compounds and can be stored at ambient temperature without decomposition.

Table III

(l-A.2.1 ) with M being PtCI ₂ (CNR ¹ )

The physicochemical data of the complexes of the examples 20 and 21 are listed below:

Example 20:

H NMR (500 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 1.04 (d, 3 H, J= 6.7 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .06 (d, 3 H, J= 6.7 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .13 (d, 3 H, J= 6.7 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .19 (d, 6 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .2 (d, 6 H, J= 6.9 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .34 (d, 6 H, J= 6.6 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .43 (d, 3 H, J= 6.7 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 2.88 (m, 1 H, J= 6.7 Hz, -CH-), 3.24 (m, 3 H, -CH-), 3.72-3.98 (m, 4 H, -CH ₂ -), 5.50 (m, 1 H, J= 6.6 Hz, -CH-), 7.16 (m, 3 H, ArH), 7.27 (d, 1 H, J= 7.6 Hz, ArH), 7.39 (m, 2 H, ArH); ³ C NMR (125 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 20.24, 20.58, 23.03, 23.1 1 , 23.47, 23.93, 26.74, 26.88, 28.89, 29.23, 29.92, 43.24, 52.24, 124.23, 124.60, 125.63, 130.19, 130.68, 134.68, 146.15, 146.47, 148.62, 173.14; ⁹⁵ Pt NMR (498 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ , Na ₂ PtCI ₄ ): δ = -3669.80; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: C ₃ iH ₄₅ CI ₂ N ₃ Pt [M-CI-] ⁺ = 689.2950, found: 689.2914.

Example 21 :

H NMR (600 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 1.08 (d, 3 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .10 (d, 3 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .17 (d, 3 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .23 (d, 6 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .25 (d, 6 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .36 (t, 1 H, J= 7.3 Hz, -CH ₂ -), 1 .38 (d, 3 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH ₃ ), 1 .46-1 .58 (m, 3 H, -CH2-), 1 .67 (qd, 1 H, J= 12.1 , 3.2 Hz, CH ₃ ), 1 .74 (d, 1 H, J= 14.3 Hz, -CH ₂ -), 1 .91 (t, 3 H, J= 14.3 Hz, -CH ₂ -), 2.34 (m, 1 H, -CH ₂ -), 2.93 (m, 1 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH-), 3.26 (m, 2 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH-), 3.32 (m, 1 H, J= 6.8 Hz, -CH-), 3.79-4.03 (m, 4 H,

-CH2-), 5.00-5.06 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 7.20 (dd, 1 H, J= 7.8, 1.4 Hz, ArH), 7.22 (d, 2 H, J= 7.8, ArH), 7.32 (dd, 1 H, J= 7.8, 1 .4 Hz, ArH), 7.43 (t, 1 H, J= 7.8, ArH), 7.44 (t, 1 H, J= 7.8, ArH); ³ C NMR (150 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 22.81 , 22.92, 23.38, 23.75, 25.41 , 25.50, 25.68, 26.57, 26.70, 28.70, 29.05, 29.79, 30.55, 31 .36, 44.35, 45.99, 59.68,

124.06,124,30, 124.41 , 125.44, 129.98, 130.49, 134.59, 145.93, 146.29, 148.44, 172.84; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): calc: C34H ₄ 9Cl2N ₃ Pt [M-CI-] ⁺ = 729.3263, found: 729.3265. II.2. Synthesis of NHC-(transition metal) complexes of the formula l-B.2.1

11.2.1 Synthesis of Au(l)-NHC complexes

General procedure:

(l-B.2.1 ) M = AuCI

Under an atmosphere of nitrogen (tetrahydrothiophene)AuCI (1.00 equivalent, 50.0 μηηοΙ) was dissolved in absolute DCM (0.10 M) at ambient temperature. The isonitrile (1 .05 equivalents) in question was added and the solution was stirred for 5 min. After this, the amine in question (1 .50 equivalents) was added and stirring was continued for 36 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the resulting crude product was washed with cold pentane (five times, 2 ml. The product was dried under reduced pressure. Alternatively, the compounds can be purified by column chromatography using mixtures of petrol ether and ethyl acetate on basic alumina.

Example 22: Chloro(1 -cyclohexyl-3-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-4-on-2- ylidene)gold(l)

H NMR (500 MHz, CDCI ₃ /C ₆ D ₆ /4/1 ): δ = 1 .08 (d, J= 6.9 Hz, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .24 (d, J= 6.9 Hz, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .42 (m, 5 H, -CH ₂ -), 1 .68 (m, 1 H, -CH ₂ -), 1 .82 (m, 2 H, -CH ₂ -), 1 .97 (m, 2 H, -CH2-), 2.51 (m, J= 6.9 Hz, 2 H, -CH-), 3.94 (s, 2 H, -CH ₂ -, carbene backbone), 4.44 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 7.16 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, 2 H, ArH), 7.37 (t, J= 7.8 Hz, 1 H, ArH); ³ C NMR (125 MHz, CDCI ₃ /C ₆ D ₆ 4/1 ): δ = 24.26, 24.28, 24.97, 25.10, 29.50, 31.99, 48.59, 63.29, 124.73, 129.24, 131 .22, 146.29, 171 .84, 201 .85.

Example 23: Chloro(1 -cyclododecyl-3-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidiazolin-4-on-2- ylidene)gold(l)

¹ H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI ₃ ): δ = 1 .13 (d, J= 6.9 Hz, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .21 (d, J= 6.9 Hz, 6 H, -CHs), 1 .18 - 1 .71 (m, 20 H, -CH ₂ -), 1 .94 (m, 2 H, -CH ₂ -), 2.57 (m, J= 6.9 Hz, 2 H, -CH-), 4.06 (s, 2 H, -CH2-, carbene backbone), 4.9 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 7.22 (d, J= 7.7 Hz, 2 H, ArH), 7.44 (t, J= 7.7 Hz, 1 H, ArH). Example 24: Chloro(3-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1 -(1 -phenylethyl)imidazolin-4-on-2- ylidene)gold(l)

H NMR (250 MHz, CDC ): δ = 1 .03 (d, J= 6.9 Hz, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .10 (d, J= 6.9 Hz, 3 H, -CHs), 1 .27 (d, J= 6.9 Hz, 2 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .29 (d, J= 6.9 Hz, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .81 (d, J= 7.2 Hz, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 2.43 (m, J= 6.9 Hz, 2 H, -CH-), 3.65 (d, J= 21 .2 Hz, 1 H, -CH ₂ -, carbene backbone), 4.03 (d, J= 21 .2 Hz, 1 H, -CH ₂ -, carbene backbone), 6.06 (q, J= 7.2 Hz, 3 H, -CH-), 7.2 (m, 8 H, ArH).

11.2.2 Synthesis of Pd(ll)-NHC complexes

General procedure for the synthesis of Pd(ll)-NHC complexes of the formula l-B.2.1

(l-B.2.1 ) M = PdCI ₂ (CNR ¹ )

Under an atmosphere of nitrogen the palladium bis(isonitrile) complex in question (1.00 equivalent, 50.0 μηηοΙ) was dissolved in absolute THF (0.30 M) at ambient temperature. After this, the amine in question (1.10 equivalents) was added and stirring was contin- ued for 7 d. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the resulting crude product was washed with cold pentane (five times, 2.00 ml). The product was dissolved in a minimum of DCM and cold pentane was added to induce precipitation of the Pd(ll)- NHC complex. Example 25: Compound of the formula l-B.2.1 with R ¹ = 2,6-diisopropyl, R ² = cyclo- hexyl

H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI ₃ ): δ = 0.93 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 0.96 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 3 H, -CHs), 1 .04 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .19 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .21 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 1.4 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .10 - 2.05 (m, 10 H, -CH ₂ -), 2.54 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 3.13 (m, 3 H, -CH-), 4.32 (m, 2 H, carbene backbone), 5.22 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 7.17 (m, 2 H, ArH), 7.44 (m, 4 H, ArH).

By recrystallization of the title compound from DCM/petrol ether, the compound of the

was obtained.

II.3. Synthesis of NHC-(transition metal) complexes of the formula l-C.2.1

11.3.1 General synthesis of Au(l)-NHC complexes

Under an atmosphere of nitrogen an chloroimidiazolin-4-on-2-ylidene)gold(l) complex in question (50.0 mg, 77.6 μηηοΙ, 1 equivalent) was dissolved in absolute THF. The mix- ture was cooled to -78 °C and lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (0.14 M in THF, 610 μΙ, 1.1 equivalents) was added. The mixture was stirred at -78 °C for 30 min prior to adding the electrophile (1 .1 equivalents). The mixture was allowed to warm up to ambient temperature and stirring was continued for 30 min. After this, the solvent was removed and the resulting crude product was washed with pentane (three times, 3 ml). The product was dissolved in absolute DCM and filtrated through a pad of celite to remove the LiCI. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the resulting solids were stored under an atmosphere of nitrogen at -32 °C.

Example 26: Chloro(4-((fert-butyldiphenylsilyl)oxy)-1 -cyclododecyl-3-(2,6- diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene)gold(l)

According to the general procedure, the title compound was prepared using tert-butyl diphenylchlorosilane as electrophile. H NMR (250 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 0.85 (s, 9 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .09 (d, J= 6.9 Hz, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .26 (d, J= 6.9 Hz, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 0.95-1.79 (m, 22 H, -CH ₂ -), 2.42 (m, J= 6.9 Hz, 2 H, -CH-), 4.63 (m, J= 6.8 Hz, 1 H, -CH-), 5.59 (s, 1 H, =CH), 7.31 (m, 6 H, ArH), 7.45 (m, 7 H, ArH).

Example 27: Chloro(4-(benzoyloxy)-1 -cyclododecyl-3-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol- 2-ylidene)gold(l)

According to the general procedure, the title compound was prepared using benzoyl chloride as electrophile. H NMR (250 MHz, C ₆ D ₆ ): δ = 0.98 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 1.33 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .05 - 1 .92 (m, 22 H, -CH ₂ -), 2.62 (m, J= 6.8 Hz, 2 H, -CH-), 5.17 (m, J= 6.5 Hz, 1 H, -CH-), 6.76 (t, J= 7.7 Hz, 2 H, ArH), 6.91 (t, J= 7.5 Hz, 1 H, ArH), 7.03 (d, J= 7.7 Hz, 2 H, ArH), 7.19 (m, 2 H, ArH, =CH), 7.68 (m, 2 H, ArH).

Example 28: Chloro(4-((((4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzyl)oxy)carbonyl)oxy)-1 - cyclododecyl-3-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene)go ld(l)

According to the general procedure, the title compound was prepared using 4,5- dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzylchloroformate as electrophile. H NMR (250 MHz, CDCI ₃ ): δ = 1 .05 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 6 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .26 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 6 H, -CHs), 1 .02 - 1 .88 (m, 22 H, -CH ₂ -), 2.32 (m, J= 6.8 Hz, 2 H, -CH-), 3.83 (s, 3 H, -CHs), 3.93 (s, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 5.58 (s, 2 H, -CH ₂ -), 6.79 (s, 1 H, =CH), 7.16 (s, 1 H, ArH), 7.2 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, 2 H, ArH), 7.44 (t, J= 7.8 Hz, 1 H, ArH), 7.68 (s, 1 H, ArH).

Ill Catalytic activity of the Pd(ll)-NHC complexes

111.1 General procedure for Suzuki-Miyaura reactions

X = CI or Br

[Pd] = Pd catalyst of the formula l-A.2.1

There are two protocols for this reaction dependent on the phenyl halide used as substrate.

Procedure for chlorobenzene as substrate

Under an atmosphere of nitrogen, the Pd(ll)-NHC complex of example 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13 or 14 [1 mol%], 2,5-dimethylphenylboronic acid (1.20 mmol) and chlorobenzene(1 .00 mmol) were dissolved in ethanol (2 ml). The mixture was stirred for 5 min and the base potassium tert-butanolate (1 .00 mmol) was added. The solution was stirred for 12 h. The yield was determined by GC using dodecane (1 .00 mmol) as internal standard. The results are summarized in Table IV.

Procedure for bromobenzene as substrate

Under an atmosphere of nitrogen, the Pd(ll)-NHC complex of example 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13 or 14 [0.1 mol%], the 2,5-dimethylphenylboronic acid (2.40 mmol) and bromobenzene (2.00 mmol) were dissolved in ethanol (4 ml). The mixture was stirred for 5 min and the base potassium tert-butanolate (2.00 mmol) was added. The solution was stirred for 12 h. The yield was determined by GC using dodecane (1 .00 mmol) as internal standard. The results are summarized in table IV.

Table IV:

Example catalyst from example Yield (%) starting from Yield (%) starting from chlorobenzene bromobenzene

29 1 3 -

30 1 - 77

31 2 6 -

32 2 - 77

33 3 3 -

34 3 - 84

35 4 49 -

36 4 - 79 Example catalyst from example Yield (%) starting from Yield (%) starting from chlorobenzene bromobenzene

37 5 5 -

38 5 - 80

39 6 40 -

40 6 - 79

41 7 62 -

42 7 - 81

43 8 16 -

44 8 - 68

45 9 64 -

46 9 - 83

47 10 - 43

48 1 1 - 59

49 12 - 53

50 13 - 83

51 14 4 -

52 14 - 83

III.2 General procedure for the Sonogashira reaction

Under an atmosphere of nitrogen the catalyst of example 15 (2 mol%) was suspended in ethanol (1 .00 ml). Bromobenzene (1 .00 mmol, 102 μΙ) and 1 -hexyne (1 .50 mmol, 173 μΙ) were added. Finally, KOtBu (1 mmol, dissolved in 1.00 ml ethanol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 12 h at ambient temperature. The solvent used was technical grade ethanol without prior degassing. After this, ammonium chloride (saturated solution, 2.00 ml), ethyl acetate (4.00 ml) and dodecane (1 .00 mmol, 226.2 μΙ) were added. The organic layer was dried with Na2S0 ₄ and analysed by GC. Yield of hex-1 - ynylbenzene: 55%.

IV Synthesis of NHC-(transition metal) complexes of the formula l-E

IV.1 Synthesis of acyclic gold complexes of the formula (VI) Route a)

R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁸ , R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ have the aforementioned meanings.

In a typical protocol, 1 -2 equiv. of the amine (6) were added to a solution of an iso- cyanogold(l) complex (7) in dichloromethane. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 -3 days. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. If necessary, the crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane as eluent). Route b)

The synthesis of the acyclic gold(l) carbene (8) can also be achieved in a one-pot procedure, starting from (tetrahydrothiophene)AuCI ((tht)AuCI) in dichloromethane. After addition of the R ¹ -NC, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h and the amine (6) was added subsequently.

All the complexes are air and moisture stable and can be stored at room temperature without decomposition.

Example 53: Chloro([cyclododecyl(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)amino{[2,6- diisopropylphenyl]amino} methylidene)aurate

The title compound was prepared according to the general procedure using 100 mg of (238 mmol) 2,6-diisopropylphenylisocyanogold(l) chloride and 71 .2 mg (250 mmol) of A/-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)cyclododecanamine in 5 ml dichloromethane. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 h and purified by column chromatography to afford a colourless crystaline solid; yield: 151 mg (219 mmol, 92 %); ¹ H-NMR (300 MHz, CD2CI2): 5 = 1 .18 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 6H, CH ₃ ), 1.24-1 .61 (m, 19H), 1 .35 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 6 H, CH ₃ ), 3.08 (sept, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H, CH), 3.47 (s, 6H, OCH ₃ ), 3.56 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H, CH ₂ N), 4.51 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 1 H, CH(OCH ₃ ) ₂ ), 7.21 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 2 H, ArH), 7.50 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 1 H, ArH); ³ C-NMR (75 MHz, CD2CI2): δ = 22.55 (t, 2C), 22.68 (t, 2C), 23.29 (q, 2C), 23.59 (q, 2C), 24.14 (t, 2C), 24.62 (t, 2C), 24.67 (t, 1 C), 28.68 (d, 2C), 29.51 (t, 1 C), 48.75 (t, 2C), 53.83 (q, 2C), 64.83 (d, 1 C), 105.01 (d, 1 C), 124.14 (d, 2H), 129.47 (d, 1 C), 135.89 (s, 1 C), 146.99 (s, 2C), 198.34 (s, 1 C); IR (KBr): v = 3540, 3268, 2931 , 2864, 1592, 1537, 1469, 1445, 1414, 1384, 1362, 1331 , 1240, 1 197, 1 162, 1 1 19, 1056, 1016, 801 , 759 cm- ; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): m/z = 690.3202, calcd. for

C29H50AUCIN2O2 [M] ⁺ : 690.3226, m/z = 655.3509. calcd. for C29H50AUN2O2 [M- CI ^" ] ⁺ : 655.3538.

Synthesis of acyclic-(palladium or platin) complexes

M is Pd or Pt;

R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁸ , R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ are as defined above. In a typical protocol, c/s-(isonitrile)2-MeCl2 complex (9) and 1 equiv. of the amine (6) were stirred in dry THF under an atmosphere of nitrogen for 2-5 days at room tem- perarture. Complete consumption of the starting material was monitored by the shift of the IR stretching frequencies of the isonitrile ligands. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the crude product was dissolved in a minimum amount of di- chloromethane and covered with a layer diethyl ether, inducing crystallization of the acyclic carbene complex (10) as colourless crystals. The crystals were filtered off, washed with n-pentane or diethyl ether and dried under reduced pressure. The complexes are air and moisture stable and can be stored at room temperature without decomposition.

Example 54

The title compound was prepared according to the typical protocol above using 70 mg of (0.31 mmol) c/s-[PdCl2(2,6-diisopropylphenyl isonitrile)2 and 58.1 mg (0.31 mmol) of A/-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)cyclohexanamine in 8 ml dry of THF. Yield: 204 mg (276 mmol, 89 %); H-NMR (500 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 0.93 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H, CH ₃ ), 1 .08 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H, CH ₃ ), 1 .13 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H, CH ₃ ), 1 .23 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 6H, CH ₃ ), 1.24 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 6H, CH ₃ ), 1.52 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3H, CH ₃ ), 1 .52-1.72 (m, 6H), 1 .82 (m, 1 H), 1 .96 (m, 3H), 2.45 (m, 1 H), 2.87 (sept, J = 6.9 Hz, 1 H, CH), 3.06 (sept, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H, CH), 3.51 (s, 3H, CH ₃ ), 3.60 (s, 3H, CH ₃ ), 3.71 (d, J = 4.7 Hz, 2H, CH ₂ ), 3.88 (sept, J = 6.9 Hz, 1 H, CH), 4.57 (t, J = 4.7 Hz, 1 H, CH), 7.1 1 (m, 1 H, ArH), 7.23 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.44 (m, 3H, ArH), 8.71 (bs, 1 H, NH); ³ C-NMR (500 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): ; 20.88, 22.56, 22.97 (2C), 23.35 (2C), 25.63, 25.70, 25.88 (2C), 26.04 (2C), 26.08 28.84, 29.72, 29.98 (2C), 31 .36, 31 .60, 50.17, 55.34, 57.01 , 68.37, 105.59, 123.05, 124.1 , 125.1 , 129.77, 131 .18, 134.65, 145.85, 146.15 (2C), 149.38, 191 .16; IR (KBr): v = 3447, 3262, 2964, 2932, 2863, 2185, 1665, 1630, 1591 , 1543, 1463, 1418, 1386, 1360, 1331 , 1 142, 1 1 19, 1060, 800, 750 cm- ; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): m/z = 702.3038, calcd. for C ₃ 6H ₅₅ CIN ₃ 0 ₂ Pd [M- CI ^" ] ⁺ : 702..3028, m/z = 667.3921 , calcd. for C ₃ 6H ₅₅ N ₃ 0 ₂ Pd [M- 2CI ^" ] ⁺ : 667.3329. IV.3 Synthesis of complexes of the formula l-E

In a typical protocol, the acyclic Au(l)-complex (8) and Pd(ll)- or Pt(ll) complex (10), respectively, were dissolved in dichloromethane. HCI (4N in HCI) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 12 h. The solvent was removed under re- duced pressure. If necessary, the crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane as eluent) to afford the NHC complexes as crysta- line solids in quantitave yields. All the complexes are air and moisture stable and can be stored at room temperature without decomposition. Example 55: Chloro{1 -cyclooctyl-3-[2,6-diisopropylyl)phenyl]-1 ,3-dihydro-2/-/-imidazol- 2-ylid-ene}aurate

100 mg (0.16 mmol) of chloro([cyclooctyl(2,2-di-methoxyethyl)amino{[2,6- diisopropylphenyl]amino}methyl-idene)aurate and 0.25 ml of HCI (4N in dioxane) in 5 ml of dichloromethane were stirred at room temperature for 12 h. Evaporation of the solvent afforded the title compound as a colourless crystaline solid; yield: 90.0 mg (0.16 mmol, >99%); ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): 5 = 1.12 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 6H), 1 .28 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 6H), 1 .38 - 1 .96 (m, 10H), 2.02 - 2.18 (m, 4H), 2.33 (sept, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H), 5.01 (quin, J = 6.9 Hz, 1 H), 6.95 (d, J = 1 .9 Hz, 1 H), 7.24 (d, J = 1.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.31 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.49 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1 H); ³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ): δ = 24.54 (q, 2C), 24.62 (q, 2C), 24.91 (t, 2C), 26.35 (t, 1 C), 27.22 (t, 2C), 28.97 (d, 2C), 34.78 (t, 2C), 62.72 (d, 1 C), 1 18.27 (d, 1 C), 123.94 (d, 1 C), 124.66 (d, 2C), 130.91 (d, 1 C), 146.48 (s, 2C), 147.07 (s, 1 C), 172 (s, 1 C); IR (KBr): v = 3433, 2961 , 2925, 1865, 1544, 1471 , 1459, 1423, 141 1 , 1385, 1364, 1307, 1254, 1 194, 1 120, 1058, 873, 807, 765, 740; HR-MS (FAB ⁺ ): m/z = 570.2086, calcd. for C ₂₃ H ₃₄ AuCIN ₂ [M] ⁺ : 570.2076.

IV.4 Synthesis of compounds of the formula l-F with M being Au-CI

R ¹ , R ² , R ⁴ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ and EWG have one of the meanings given above.

Method A: Under an atmosphere of nitrogen the [AuCI(isonitrile)] (1 .00 equivalent) complex was dissolved in absolute DCM and the amine (1 .50 equivalents) was added. The mixture was stirred for 48 h and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The resulting solid was washed with petrol ether to remove the residual amine. Alternatively, the crude products can be purified by column chromatography using silica and mixtures of petrol ether/ethyl acetate (5:1 ).

Method B: Under an atmosphere of nitrogen the [AuCI(tht)] (1 .00 equivalent) (tht = tet- rahydrothiophene) was dissolved in absolute DCM and the isonitrile (1 .00 equivalent) was added. The mixture was stirred for 5 min at RT and the amine (1 .50 equivalents) was added. The mixture was stirred for 48 h at RT and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The resulting solid was washed with petrol ether to remove the residual amine. Alternatively, the crude products can be purified by column chromatography using silica and mixtures of petrol ether/ethyl acetate (5:1 ). Example 56: (1 -Cyclododecyl-3-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4-(2-methoxy-2-oxoet hyl)- imidazolidin-2-ylidene)gold(l) chloride

Colourless solid, 80.0 mg, 1 14 μηηοΙ, 38%;

1H NMR (301 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ) δ= 1 .17 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .19 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 3 H, - CH ₃ ), 1 .21 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .30 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 1 .14-1 .84 (m, 22 H, -CH2-), 2.67 (m, J= 6.8 Hz, 1 H, -CH-), 2.92 (m, J= 6.8 Hz, 1 H, -CH ₃ ), 3.32 (dd, J= 1 1 .5, 10.5 Hz, 1 H, -CH ₂ -), 3.48 (s, 3 H, -OCH ₃ ), 3.99 (d, J= 1 1 .2 Hz, 1 H, -CH ₂ -), 4.27 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 4.63 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 7.15 (m, 2 H, ArH), 7.34 (t, J= 7.7 Hz, 1 H, ArH); ¹³ C NMR (75 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ) δ= 22.49 (t), 22.59 (t), 22.95 (t), 23.24 (t), 23.34 (t), 23.46 (q), 24.10 (q), 24.24 (t), 24.41 (t), 24.66 (t), 24.95 (t), 25.47 (q), 26.30 (q), 28.62 (t), 28.84 (d), 29.15 (d), 29.25 (t), 37.93 (t), 50.54 (t), 52.36 (q), 55.92 (d), 61.41 (d), 124.99 (d), 125.36 (d), 130.30 (d), 133.20 (s), 147.83 (s), 148.34 (s), 170.55 (s), 194.45 (s, carbene carbon atom).

Example 57: (1 -Cyclododecyl-4-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-3-(2-(trifluoromethyl )phenyl)- imidazolidin-2-ylidene)gold(l) chloride

Colourless solid, 1 15 mg, 167 pmol, 56%; ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ) δ= 1 .06-1 .83 (m, 22 H, -CH2-), 2.50 (m, 2 H, -CH ₂ -), 3.49 (m, 1 H, -CH ₂ -), 3.52 (s, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 3.90 (t, J= 1 1 .0 Hz, 1 H, -CH ₂ -), 4.55 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 4.64 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 7.41 (d, J= 7.7 Hz, 1 H, ArH), 7.54 (m, 1 H, ArH), 7.63 (t, J= 7.7 Hz, 1 H, ArH), 7.72 (d, J= 7.7 Hz, 1 H, ArH); IR (KBr) v= 2935, 2862, 1738, 1605, 1585, 1500, 1459, 1438, 1316, 1266, 1207, 1 174, 1 130, 1062, 1037, 999, 773, 645, 599

Example 58: (1 -Cyclododecyl-4-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-3-(naphthalen-2- yl)imidazolidin-2-ylidene)gold(l) chloride

Colourless solid, 149 mg, 223 pmol, 74%; H NMR (300 MHz, CD ₂ CI ₂ ) δ= 1 .10-1 .87 (m, 22 H, -CH2-), 2.45 (dd, J= 16.5, 9.0 Hz, 1 H, -CH ₂ -), 2.64 (dd, J= 16.5, 4.3 Hz, 1 H, - CH ₂ -), 3.48 (m, 1 H, -CH ₂ -), 3.50 (s, 3 H, -CH ₃ ), 3.97 (t, J= 1 1.3 Hz, 1 H, -CH ₂ -), 4.71 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 4.83 (m, 1 H, -CH-), 7.46 (m, 2 H, ArH), 7.56 (m, 1 H, ArH), 7.82 (m, 4 H, ArH).