Controlling the size and surface functionalization of nanoparticles (NPs) can lead to improved properties and applicability. Herein, we demonstrate the efficiency of the metal‐carbene template approach (MCTA) to synthesize highly robust and soluble three‐dimensional polyimidazolium cages (PICs) of different sizes, each bearing numerous imidazolium groups, and use these as templates to synthesize and stabilize catalytically active, cavity‐hosted, dispersed poly‐N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐anchored gold NPs. Owing to the stabilization of the NHC ligands and the effective confinement of the cage cavities, the as‐prepared poly‐NHC‐shell‐encapsulated AuNPs displayed promising stability towards heat, pH, and chemical regents. Most notably, all the Au@PCCs (PCC=polycarbene cage) exhibited excellent catalytic activities in various chemical reactions, together with high stability and durability.

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been widely employed in the construction of various metal complexes and applied in the field of catalysis. In this review, a series of palladium complexes comprising chelating bis(NHC) donors (Pd-bis(NHC) complexes) are outlined according to their application in homogeneous catalysis. Examples of metal-organic frameworks containing Pd-bis(NHC) moieties are briefly discussed, in terms of their use in heterogeneous catalysis. The catalytic applications of Pd-bis(NHC) complexes (or moieties in heterogeneous catalysts) are mainly focused on the Mizoroki-Heck, Suzuki-Miyaura, and Sonogashira coupling reactions. Another 14 types of reactions are also summarized beyond these three types of reactions.

A reversible fluorescence turn off/on switch induced by the encapsulation and release of a guest molecule within an organometallic cage was presented.