Organosulphur and related ligands in Suzuki-Miyaura C-C coupling

Suzuki-Miyaura C-C cross coupling (SMC), an important synthetic strategy for many organic molecules, has several advantages such as mild reaction conditions, high tolerance toward various functional groups and ease in isolation of the product. Palladium(II) ligated with phosphines (particularly bulky and electron-rich) and N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) has been found to be efficient in the catalysis of SMC. The drawback with many of these catalysts is their air/moisture sensitivity. Since 2000, palladium(II) complexes of organosulphur and related ligands have emerged as viable alternatives to palladium-phosphine/carbene complexes as they have sufficient thermal stability, air and moisture insensitivity. Moreover synthesis of complexes of such ligands is easy. In this perspective Suzuki-Miyaura C-C coupling reactions catalyzed with palladium(II)-complexes of organosulphur ligands have been reviewed. Catalysis of SMC with palladium(II) complexes of organoselenium and tellurium ligands, studied much less in comparison to those of organosulphur ligands, is also included.