Synthesis and characterization of amino-NHC coinage metal complexes and application for C–H activation of caffeine

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of silver, copper and gold complexes supported by several amino-NHC ligands with different amino side arms. The transmetallation process using silver-NHC complexes can be used to prepare amino-NHC copper and gold complexes easily in high yield. In addition, the catalytic activities of copper complexes are examined for arylation of caffeine via C–H bond activation.