A new strategic method for the synthesis of 1,3-diarylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate salts is illustrated herein. A solvent-free approach was employed in the synthesis of the diimines which are precursors in the preparation of the imidazolium salts. The reaction proceeds faster, cleaner and in a better yield than previously reported methods.Keywords: Diimines, imidazolium salts, NHC-metal ligand precursors, solvent-free, synthesi

Bala, MD