Palladacycles vs. chelating N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of nickel as catalysts for C-C bond forming reactions

INOR 48

Stephen R Foley, stephen.foley@usask.ca, Jackson Chitanda, and Tressia Paulose. Department of Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan, 110 Science Pl, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C9, Canada
Numerous studies have documented the high activity of palladium catalysts for C-C coupling reactions however little attention has been focused on the catalytic activity of corresponding nickel-based analogues. In particular, palladacycles and N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of palladium are among the best known catalysts for the Heck and Suzuki reactions. Here we present the synthesis of new palladacycles based on iminoisoindoline and 1,4-diimine ligand precursors and contrast their relative activity in C-C coupling reactions with that of chelating N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of nickel.