Macrocyclic Palladium(II) Complexes in CC Coupling Reactions: Efficient Catalysis by Controlled Temporary Release of Active Species

Abstract

AbstractStabilization of palladium species against agglomeration is essential for reasonable catalytic activity in CC coupling reactions. In contrast to common methods of palladium(0) complex or particle stabilization, a new concept is introduced here: it is demonstrated that a controlled release of palladium from an inactive precatalyst provides stability, too, and leads to high catalytic activity. This paper presents surprising catalytic results for Heck and Suzuki reactions with aryl chlorides and bromides, using three highly stable macrocyclic palladium complexes as catalyst precursors. Three different behaviour patterns for the macrocyclic complexes can be deduced from the evaluation of catalytic activities, UV‐Vis spectroscopy, recycling studies of immobilized complexes, and ligand addition experiments. (i) Palladium tetraphenylporphyrin reversibly releases only extremely low amounts of palladium during the reactions, and low coupling activities are observed. (ii) Release of palladium from its phthalocyanine complex is irreversible; cumulative release of palladium into the reaction mixtures leads to high catalytic activity. (iii) Extraordinary results were obtained with a Robson‐type complex of palladium, which reversibly releases effectual amounts of palladium into solution under reaction conditions. This controlled release prevents the formation of inactive palladium agglomerates under harsh conditions and leads to high catalytic performances. Even strongly deactivated electron‐rich aryl chlorides (4‐chloroanisole) can be completely and selectively converted by the in situ formed anionic palladium halide complexes; the addition of typical stabilizing additives (TBAB) was found to be unnecessary. The bimetallic palladium complex is regenerated at the end of the reaction. These results contribute to the current understanding of the active species in CC coupling reactions of Heck and Suzuki types.