Generation and conversion of an N-heterocyclic carbene on Pt(111).

The formation of N-heterocyclic carbenes on a platinum surface is demonstrated. Surface vibrational spectroscopy measurements isolate steps in the transformation from 1,3-diisopropylbenzimidazolium hydrogen carbonate to surface carbene. As the temperature is further increased, the reactive metal transforms the isopropyl groups leading to the effective formation of a new surface carbene.