Synthesis, structure and catalytic activity of dicarbene dipalladium complexes with different alkane bridge

► Novel di-NHC di-Pd complexes bridged with alkane have been synthesized. ► The molecular structures have been determined. ► The two palladium subunits are in different configuration. ► π-π stacking plays an important role in the configuration of the palladium subunits. ► The complexes showed good catalytic activity for the arylation of olefins.