Synthesis, characterization and the catalytic application of the N-heterocyclic carbene-PdCl2-cyanopyridine complexes

Abstract

Six monoligated N-heterocyclic carbene-PdCl2-cyanopyridine complexes were prepared (N-heterocyclic carbene = NHC). X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis indicated that the complexes showed mononuclear Pd–NHC structures with two chlorides and the N-donor from cyanopyridine as ancillary ligands. The lengths of the Pd–C bonds in all complexes were 1.959(5)–1.976(3) Å, comparable to those found in the corresponding Pd–NHC catalysts. The catalytic activities of the well-defined Pd–NHC complexes have been evaluated with respect to the Hiyama cross-coupling reactions of aryl trialkoxysilanes with aryl chlorides. With 1.0 mol% Pd-catalyst, all synthesized palladium compounds have shown moderate to good catalytic activities for the coupling reactions.