A highly active two six-membered phosphinite palladium PCP pincer complex [PdCl{C6H3(CH2OPPri)2-2,6}]

The diphosphinite 1,3-bis[(di-isopropylphosphinite)methyl]benzene (2) has been synthesized and its complexation in palladium chemistry investigated. Complex 3 represents the first example of a two six-member PCP pincer bis(phosphinite) species. A catalytic study of 3 in the Heck reaction, revealed this specie to have an outstanding activity in the olefination of iodo-, bromo- and chloro-benzenes. When compared with other PCP pincer complexes, the results show that both by increasing the ring size from five to six-membered and using phosphinite instead of phosphine groups lead to a more active catalyst.

Graphical abstractThe two six-membered phosphinite palladium PCP pincer complex [PdCl{C6H3(CH2OPPri)2-2,6}] has been synthesized and its catalytic activity for C–C coupling reactions has been investigated.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide