As a type of novel ligands featuring special structure and properties that can be easily regulated, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have attracted much research attention in recent years. Various NHC metal complexes with typical structure and properties have been synthesized and utilized widely in the fields of catalysis, synthesis, materials, pharmaceuticals, etc.Here, recent research progress on the synthesis and applications of pincer NHC metal complexes containing heteroatoms of N, P, S, O, Se, etc. and C featuring different hybrid state is summarized.