Halogen-Bridged Methylnaphthyl Palladium Dimers as Versatile Catalyst Precursors in Coupling Reactions

Halogen-bridged methylnaphthyl (MeNAP) palladium dimers are presented as multipurpose Pd-precursors, ideally suited for catalytic method development and preparative organic synthesis. By simply mixing with phosphine or carbene ligands, they are in situ converted into well-defined monoligated complexes. Their catalytic performance was benchmarked against state-of-the-art systems in challenging Buchwald-Hartwig, Heck, Suzuki and Negishi couplings, and ketone arylations. Their use enabled record-setting activities, beyond those achievable by optimization of the ligand alone. The MeNAP catalysts permit syntheses of tetra-ortho-substituted arenes and bulky anilines in near-quantitative yields at room temperature, allow mono-arylations of small ketones, and enable so far elusive cross-couplings of secondary alkyl boronic acids with aryl chlorides.

Automated summary

Halogen-bridged methylnaphthyl (MeNAP) palladium dimers, presented as versatile Pd precursors, demonstrate excellent catalytic performance by in situ conversion into well-defined monoligated complexes. They show benchmark activities in challenging reactions, enable record-setting yields, and can achieve previously elusive cross-couplings.