The pyridine functionalised N-heterocyclic carbene complexes (C-N)PdMeBr, C
-N = 3-R-1-(2-picolyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene, (R = Bu-t 1a, R = mes 1b, mes =
mesityl) are described; they are excellent catalysts for the Heck arylatio
n; 1b is monomeric with a chelating C-N ligand; the product obtained by int
eraction of 1a with AgO2CCF3 shows a [Pd(C-N)](4) framework with bridging C
-N ligands.