Synthesis, structural characterization, and catalytic activity of chiral diamine and diimine Pd(II)-complexes

A crystallographic investigation on chiral diamino- and diimino-bithiophene-Pd(II) complexes as valuable catalysts for asymmetric transformations is presented. In particular, a systematic X-ray characterization of the [Pd]-pre-catalytic species provided valuable rationales for the key role played by sterical as well as electronic factors in controlling the turnover of the whole catalytic cycle.