Effect of counterions and central cores of tripodal imidazolium salts on palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions

Seven tripodal imidazolium salts were synthesized and used as catalyst precursors in cross-coupling reactions of aryl halides with arylboronic acids. Effect of counterions and central cores of seven tripodal imidazolium salts was investigated. The tripodal imidazolium salt anchored to benzene with anion PF6− was found most effective with Pd(OAc)2 for the cross-coupling of aryl bromides with arylboronic acids.

Graphical abstractThe tripodal imidazolium salt anchored to benzene with anion PF6- was found most effective with Pd(OAc)2 for the cross-coupling of aryl bromides or iodides with arylboronic acids.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Seven tripodal imidazolium salts were synthesized and used as catalyst precursors in cross-coupling reactions of aryl halides with arylboronic acids. ► Effect of counterions and central cores of seven tripodal imidazolium salts was investigated. ► The tripodal imidazolium salt anchored to benzene with anion PF6− was found most effective with Pd(OAc)2 for the cross-coupling of aryl bromides with arylboronic acids.