Novel cationic dinuclear η3-methallylpalladium complexes containing N,N′-donor bridging ligands: Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure

•This work represents a facile way to access cationic bis(methallylpalldium) complexes bearing dinucleating nitrogen ligands.•The complexes were prepared via an oxidative addition to zerovalent palladium compound.•Distorted square-planar arrangement around the palladium center.•Novel cationic bimetallic palladium precursors can be useful as catalysts.

A series of bifunctional ligands of the type, 1,4-{(2-C5H4N)RC = N}2-C6H4 [R = H (L1), Me (L2)], 1,4-{(2-C5H4N)HCN}2-(C6H4)2 [L3] and 1,4-{(2-C5H4N)HCN}2-C2H4 [L4] were synthesized and fully characterized by IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. These ligands react with Pd(dba)2 in the presence of the salt methallyloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate [C4H7OP(NMe2)3]+PF6− to give the novel cationic dinuclear η3-methallylpalladium complexes C1C4 in high yields. All new complexes C1C4 have been characterized by CHN analyses, 1H, 13C, 31P NMR and IR spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structure of complex C1 has been determined.

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