Process for the generation of metallic films

A process for preparing a metal film, comprising:

• (a) depositing a metal-containing compound from the gaseous state onto a solid substrate;
• and
• (b) bringing the solid substrate with the deposited metal-containing compound in contact with a reducing agent in the gaseous state or in solution,
• wherein the reducing agent is or at least partially forms at the surface of the solid substrate a carbene, a silylene or a phosphor radical,
• wherein the carbene is a compound of formula (I), (II), (IVa), (IVb), (Va) or (Vb);
• wherein R is hydrogen, an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or silyl group
• X is C, Si, or P,
• Y is S, NR, or CR2,
• Z is nothing, H, alkyl, halogen, an amine, PR2 or a boron species, and
• n is 0, 1 or 2.