Silveri And Goldi N Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes

"The introduction of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) to organometallic and inorganic chemistry was achieved by the synthesis and isolation of chromium and mercury NHC complexes by Öfele and Wanzlick in 1968. The synthesis and characterization of numerous carbene metal complexes by Lappert et al were a significant contribution to this area of chemistry. NHCs have become an important area of research after the isolation of the first stable carbene by Arduengo in 1991. In chapter 1, the synthesis and biological activities of NHCs and their silver(I) and gold(I) derivatives are discussed. In chapter 2, the synthesis and characterization of an imidazolium-linked cyclophane is discussed as well as its potential use as a medicinal agent. In chapter 3, the synthesis and characterization of a silver(I) NHC complex is reported. The antimicrobial activity of the silver(I) NHC complex is also reported against clinically important bacteria. In chapter 4, the synthesis of a variety of silver(I) NHC complexes and their carbene transfer reactions to gold(I) reagents are reported. The gold(I) NHC complexes are also investigated for their anticancer properties. In chapter 5, the use of urocanic acid as NHC precursor is reported. The synthesis and characterization of the first silver(I) NHC complex derived from biological molecule urocanic acid is discussed as well as its antimicrobial activity."--Abstract.