Generating Active L-Pd(0) via Neutral or Cationic π-Allylpalladium Complexes Featuring Biaryl/Bipyrazolylphosphines: Synthetic, Mechanistic, and Structure Activity Studies in Challenging Cross-Coupling Reactions

Two new classes of highly active yet air- and moisture-stable pi-R-allylpalladium complexes containing bulky biaryl- and bipyrazolylphosphines with extremely broad ligand scope have been developed. Neutral pi-allylpalladium complexes incorporated a range of biaryl/bipyrazolylphosphine ligands, while extremely bulky ligands were accommodated by a cationic scaffold. These complexes are easily activated under mild conditions and are efficient for a wide array of challenging C-C and C-X (X = heteroatom) cross-coupling reactions. Their high activity is correlated to their facile activation to a 12-electron-based L-Pd(0) catalyst under commonly employed conditions for cross-coupling reactions, noninhibitory byproduct release upon activation, and suppression of the off-cycle pathway to form dinuclear (mu-allyl)(mu-Cl)Pd-2(L)(2) species, supported by structural (single crystal X-ray) and kinetic studies. A broad scope of C-C and C-X coupling reactions with low catalyst loadings and short reaction times highlight the versatility and practicality of these catalysts in organic synthesis.