Reaction of carbon dioxide with a palladium-alkyl complex supported by a bis-NHC framework

The reactivity of a dimethyl palladium complex supported by a dicarbene chelate (MDCMes)PdMe2 towards CO2 has been investigated. In the presence of trace H2O, this reaction yields the corresponding methyl bicarbonate complex (MDCMes)PdMe(O2COH), which goes on to give the corresponding kappa(2)-carbonato complex upon crystallization (MDCMes)Pd(CO3). This chemistry, as well as related protonolysis by acetic acid was monitored by a combination of techniques including React-IR spectroscopy.