Stereoselective formation of a single-stranded helicate: Structure of a bis(palladium-allyl) quaterpyridine complex and its use in catalytic enantioselective allylic substitution

Chiral C-2-symmetric quaterpyridine L reacts with [Pd(eta(3)-C3H5)Cl](2) to form a chiral single-stranded helical binuclear palladium complex of formula [Pd-2(eta(3)-C3H5)(2)(L)](2+); the complex can efficiently catalyze allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethyl malonate with enantioselectivity up to 85%.