NCP pincer palladacycle as a phosphine-free catalyst precursor for the Heck-Mizoroki coupling of aryl halides

NCP pincer palladacycle 1 has been reported as an excellent catalyst precursor for the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction. Now, it's properties have been evaluated in the Heck reaction. 1 is highly active for the coupling of ArI, ArBr and electron-poor ArCl with n-butyl acrylate showing limitations in the reaction of deactivated ArCl and sterically hindered olefins.