Synthesis of chromium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes using chromium Fischer carbenes as a source of chromium carbonyls

Chromium Fischer carbene complexes, [Cr{double bond; length as m-dashOMe(R)}(CO)5] have been utilized as a source of chromium carbonyls in the synthesis of chromium NHC complexes. Using the synthetic method, chromium complexes of various NHC ligands were isolated in reasonable yields. Moreover, the method can be employed for the synthesis of molybdenum and tungsten NHC compounds.