Four bis-benzimidazolium salts, 1,4-bis[1′-( N -R-benzimidazoliumyl)methyl]-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene 2X – ( L 1 H 2 ·(PF 6 ) 2 : R = ethyl, X = PF 6 ; L 2 H 2 ·Br 2 : R = picolyl, X = Br; L 3 H 2 ·Br 2 : R = benzyl, X = Br; and L 4 H 2 ·Br 2 : R = allyl, X = Br), and their three N -heterocyclic carbene (NHC) Pd(II) and Ag(I) complexes, L 1 Pd 2 Cl 4 ( 1 ), L 2 Ag 2 Br 2 ( 2 ), and L 4 (AgBr) 2 ( 3 ), as well as one anionic complex L 3 H 2 ·(Ag 4 Br 8 ) 0.5 ( 4 ), have been synthesized and characterized. Complex 1 adopts a funnel-like type of structure, complex 2 adopts a cyclic structure, and complex 3 is an open structure. In the crystal packing of 1 – 4 , one-dimensional polymeric chains and two-dimensional supramolecular layers are formed via intermolecular weak interactions, including hydrogen bonds, π–π interactions, and C–H···π contacts. The catalytic activities of NHC Pd(II) complex 1 in three types of C–C coupling reactions (Suzuki–Miyaura, Heck–Mizoroki, and Sonogashira reactions) were studied. The results show that this catalytic system is efficient for these C–C coupling reactions.

Macrometallocycle 4 as a host can distinguish o-phenylenediamine from other aromatic amines, which is investigated using the methods of fluorescence and UV/vis spectroscopy.

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2), were synthesized and characterized. Recognitions of 1 for anions and 2 for cations were studied through fluorescence spectra, UV/vis spectra, HRMS, 1 H NMR and infrared spectroscopies. The results revealed that 1 was able to differentiate 2 4 H POfrom other anions, and 2 was able to differentiate Ag ＋ from other cations via fluorescence method.