A Highly Active Palladium(I) Dimer for Pharmaceutical Applications [Pd(μ-Br)(tBu3P)]2 AS A PRACTICAL CROSS-COUPLING CATALYST

The Pd(I) dimer [Pd(mu-Br)((Bu3P)-Bu-t)](2) is one of the best third-generation cross-coupling catalysts for carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom coupling reactions. Information on its characterisation and handling are presented, including its decomposition mechanism in the presence of oxygen. The catalytic activity of [Pd(mu-Br)((Bu3P)-Bu-t)](2) is higher than either ((Bu3P)-Bu-t)Pd(0) or the in situ generated catalyst system based on Pd-2(dba)(3) with (Bu3P)-Bu-t. Examples of suitable reactions for which the Pd(I) dimer offers superior performance are given.