Hybrid NCS palladium pincer complexes of thiophosphorylated benzaldimines and their ketimine analogs

► The synthetic routes to novel pincer ligands of NCS type were developed. ► The ligands bear thiophosphoryl and aldimine or ketimine donating arms. ► Synthesis and characterization of κ3-NCS palladium pincer complexes. ► The complexes demonstrate high activity as (pre)catalysts in the Suzuki reaction. ► The effect of the ligand structure on the catalytic performance was elucidated.