Catalytically active palladium pyridylidene complexes: pyridinium ionic liquids as N-heterocyclic carbene precursors

Pyridinium salts similar to those used as ionic liquid solvents readily undergo palladation in the presence of a base, thus giving palladium-pyridylidene N-heterocyclic carbene complexes that are active catalysts for Suzuki-type crosscoupling reactions.