Novel 1-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl)-3-alkylbenzimidazolium salts as N-heterocyclic carbene precursors 2a-g were prepared by quarternazition of 1-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl)benzimidazoles in DMF with alkyl halides. The salts were characterized spectroscopically and in situ formed complexes from Pd(OAc)(2) and 2 have been tested as catalyst in homogenous Heck and Suzuki reactions.
