Abstract A variety of chiral and achiral imidazolium salts is synthesized. Methylene-, ethylene-, propylene-and pyridinyl-bridged bis (imidazolium) halides are used to generate the respective free chelating carbenes. The synthesis of palladium complexes of general formula [cis-CH 2 {NC (H)= C (H) N (R) C} 2 PdX 2] with these chelating N-heterocyclic carbene ligands is reported. Structural proofs of complexes 28 and 46 are represented by ...