The synthesis of transition metal complexes from N-heterocyclic carbene
and Schiff base ligands is discussed in this chapter. A few basic characteristics of
water-soluble, N-heterocyclic carbene-based complexes are also described. The
increased hydrophilicity of these water-soluble metal complex-based catalysts
improves their applicability. Though research based on carbon-carbon coupling
reactions is dominating, recent studies demonstrate that water-soluble N-heterocyclic
carbene-based complexes can be utilized in the hydrocyanation and metathesis
reactions. Compounds formed by the condensation of active carbonyl compounds and
primary amines are called Schiff bases. RR’C=NR” is the general structure of Schiff
bases, where R”, R’ and R are hydroxyaryl, hydroxyalkyl, cyclohexyl, alkyl, etc. In this
chapter, the synthesis of metal complexes from N-heterocyclic carbenes and the
synthesis of Schiff base complexes by ligand exchange, metal exchange, amine
exchange, coordinated secondary amine oxidation, in situ methods, and direct synthesis
methods are described.
Keywords: Catalysis, Metal complexes, N-heterocyclic carbene, Schiff base, Water soluble.
