The development of palladium catalysts for C-C and C-heteroatom bond forming reactions of aryl chloride substrates

The design and application of new homogeneous palladium catalysts for the formation of C-C and C-heteroatom bonds from aryl chloride substrates is reviewed. Much of the work performed in this area has focused on the synthesis of bulky, electron-rich phosphines and, more recently, carbenes that increase the electron density on the palladium centre(s) sufficiently to facilitate oxidative addition of the strong C-Cl bond. However, there has increasingly been an interest in the development of alternative palladium sources that improve activity when used in association with these ligands, for instance, palladacyclic complexes have played a particular role in this regard. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.