NCN pincer ligand precursor 1•HX (X = Cl, PF 6 ), having a six-membered N-heterocyclic carbene central moiety and pyridyl pendant arms, was prepared via N−C crosscoupling of 2-bromo-6-tert-butylpyridine with propane-1,3diamine, followed by ring closure with triethylorthoformate. The free ligand 1 was not accessible via deprotonation, yet its copper(I) complex 2 was prepared by reacting 1•HCl with CuI and potassium hexamethyldisilazide. It was used further as a transmetalation agent to prepare nickel(II) and ruthenium(II) dihalide NCN-pincer complexes 3a, 4a, and 4b, featuring a distorted square-pyramidal geometry at the metal, with the carbene ligand in the axial position. The rhodium(III) NCNpincer complex 6b was obtained from 2 and [Rh(cod)Cl] 2 via transmetalation followed by oxidation with Cu(I) in THF. The rhodium(III) NCC-pincer complex 9b was prepared under similar conditions in acetonitrile, where a spontaneous rollover cyclometalation occurred. Complex 9b has a distorted octahedral geometry, with the acetonitrile ligand trans to the carbene. Very short Ru−C NHC and Rh−C NHC bonds were measured in complexes 4a, 4b, and 9b. Halogen exchange was observed by 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy in both ruthenium and rhodium systems during the transmetalation stage, and the purification was accomplished by pushing the respective equilibrium with excess halide.