Pd(II) complexes with ONN pincer ligand: Tailored synthesis, characterization, DFT, and catalytic activity toward the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction

A pincer type ONN tridentate Schiffbase ligand, 2-(((pyridin-2-yl)methylimino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol, (L-1) synthesized by the condensation of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde and (pyridin-2-yl)methanamine. The ligand L-1 and the new Pd(II) heteroleptic complexes of the composition [Pd(L-1)(L-2)]Cl, where L-2 = benzimidazole, imidazole, benzooxazol or pyridine were synthesized and characterized by a set of chemical, spectrometric and spectroscopic analyses. These complexes were named 1 to 4, respectively. The FT-IR and DFT have suggested that ligand is coordinated with metal through azomethine-N and phenolic-O and arranged in square planar fashion around the metal. Correlation coefficients value between 0.995 - 0.993 shows satisfactory agreement in theoretical and experimental H-1-NMR and C-13-NMR. Benzimidazole anchored complex 1 exhibits an excellent catalytic activity. DFT calculated the energy profile diagram of the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A novel pincer type ONN tridentate Schiffbase ligand and its Pd(II) heteroleptic complexes were synthesized and characterized by chemical, spectrometric and spectroscopic analyses. The complexes exhibited promising catalytic activity, indicating potential applications in the future.