Easy preparation of Cp*-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes and their coordination to rhodium and iridium.

A simple high-yielding method for the preparation of a tetramethylcyclopentadienyl-NHC ligand is described. This ligand has been successfully coordinated to Rh and Ir. A related Cp*-NHC ligand with a -CH(2)CMePh- linker between the Cp* and the NHC is also described, together with its coordination to Rh and Ir.