New [Ir(CH 3 CN) 2 (I) 2 {κC,C′-bis(NHC)}]BF 4 complexes featuring bis-NHC ligands with a methylene bridge and different N substitution (−CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 CH 3 and −CH 2 CH 2 OPh) were synthesized. NMR studies and X-ray diffraction structures evidenced that the wingtip group −CH 2 CH 2 OPh presents a hemilabile behavior in solution, with the oxygen atom coordinating and dissociating at room temperature, which contrasts with the strong coordination of the ether functions in the complex [Ir-(I) 2 {κC,C′,O,O′-bis(NHC OMe )}]BF 4 (bis(NHC OMe ) = methylenebis(N,N′-bis(2-methoxyethyl)imidazol-2-ylidene)), previously reported by us. These complexes proved to be efficient catalysts for the hydrolysis and methanolysis of silanes, affording molecular hydrogen and silyl alcohols or silyl ethers as the main reaction products in excellent yields. The hydrogen generation rates were very much dependent on the nature of the hydrosilane and the coordination ability of the wingtip group. The latter also played a key role in the recyclability of the catalytic system.

A cationic [Ag2(bis-NHC)2](2+) system behaves as an excellent host for Ag(+). In the solid-state variation, Ag···Ag are the only bonding interactions between host and guest, overcoming their inherent electrostatic repulsion. It represents a clear example of ligand-unsupported ("pure") argentophilicity. In solution, we also found evidence for this kind of Ag···Ag approximation, which might be recognized as an initial step of transmetalation mechanisms involving formally closed-shell metal centers as transferring agents.

Investigations dealing with N-heterocyclic carbenes and their derivatives are usually centered on the influence that they exert by acting as catalysts, ionic liquids, or metallodrugs and consequently on their capabilities to tune the properties and reactivity of these systems. In this context, we aimed to focus on the internal molecular changes undergone by imidazole derivatives, from electronic and geometrical points of view. This work represents an empirical evidence of the molecular modifications that an imidazole skeleton undergoes upon protonation, alkylation, and metalation.