Catalytic Suzuki couplings by an amido pincer complex of palladium

•This catalysis is compatible with air, water, and a wide range of functional groups.•Preparation of sterically encumbered tri-ortho-substituted biaryls is demonstrated.•Mechanistic insights derived from Hammett plots are discussed.•The catalysis is complementary to Heck and Sonogashira couplings by the same complex.

The catalytic feasibility of [PNP]PdCl, where [PNP]- = bis(2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)amide, on biaryl syntheses from Suzuki-type cross-coupling reactions is demonstrated. A number of electronically activated, unactivated, and deactivated (hetero)aryl bromides and iodides is viable to react with arylboronic acids. Of particular note of this catalysis is its success in the high yield production of sterically encumbered tri-ortho-substituted biaryls and its operative compatibility under aerobic conditions in aqueous solutions.

Graphical abstractThis study describes the catalytic feasibility of [PNP]PdCl ([PNP]- = bis(2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)amide) in Suzuki couplings that are compatible with air and water and accessible for the preparation of sterically encumbered tri-ortho-substituted biaryls.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide