An N-alkyl imidazole bearing a neutral {Fe(NO)2}10 dinitrosyliron complex (DNIC) when treated with sodium t-butoxide undergoes base-promoted conversion to the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–DNIC, while maintaining the Fe(NO)2 unit intact. Subsequent alkylation led to the isolation of the NHC–DNIC product; further nitrosylation led to trinitrosyl (NHC)Fe(NO)3+. Both were isolated and structurally characterized.
