One-electron oxidation of L2PdII(CH3)2 complexes: Ligand effects on production of ethane vs. Pd-C bond homolysis

The reaction pathway for the one-electron oxidation of dimethyl palladium(II) complexes is largely dictated by the identity of the ancillary ligand. Palladium(II) complexes with nitrogen based ligands are selective for oxidatively-induced methyl transfer to yield palladium(IV) intermediates. Analogous complexes supported by phosphorus ligands or N-heterocyclic carbenes preferentially undergo Pd-C bond homolysis.70