Ligand Rearrangement Leads to Tetrahydrothiophene-Functionalized N,S-Heterocyclic Carbene Palladium(II) Complexes

Tetrahydrothiophene-functionalized N,S-heterocyclic carbene palladium(II) complexes are synthesized through an unexpected rearrangement that proceeds with palladium(II) trifluoroacetate but not with palladium(II) acetate, palladium(II) bromide, or palladium(II) chloride. A series of these complexes were isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The mechanism of formation of these [3.2.1]palladabicycles was explored, and the catalytic capabilities of these complexes were demonstrated in representative C-C coupling reactions.

Automated summary

Tetrahydrothiophene-functionalized N, S-heterocyclic carbene palladium(II) complexes were synthesized through an unexpected rearrangement using palladium(II) trifluoroacetate instead of other palladium(II) compounds, and their catalytic capabilities in C-C coupling reactions were demonstrated.