Facile synthesis and characterization of μ-chloro, azido, thiocyanato bridged cyclometallated Pd(II) containing Schiff-base ligands

► μ-Chloro bridged cyclometallated Pd(II) complexes were readily prepared by reaction of Na2PdCl4 with benzylideneaniline. ► The reaction of Na2PdCl4 with Schiff-bases bearing a furyl or thienyl ring resulted in non-cyclometallated Pd(II) species. ► In di-μ-N3 bridged cyclometallated Pd(II) complexes the azido group bridged two Pd atoms through the same nitrogen atom. ► In di-μ-SCN bridged cyclometallated Pd(II) complexes the thiocyanato group bridged two Pd atoms through both S and N atoms.