LPdCl2(amine) complexes supported by terphenyl phosphanes: applications in aryl amination reactions

Despite the excellent catalytic properties display by NHC-Pd-PEPPSI complexes in cross-coupling, phosphane analogs have been barely screened. In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of a series of LPdCl2(amine) complexes bearing dialkylterphenyl phosphanes (PR2Ar') and pyridine or morpholine ligands. The novel compounds have been tested as precatalysts in aryl amination reactions. The complex [(PCyp2ArXyl2)PdCl2(morpholine)] shows the best catalytic activity allowing the room-temperature coupling of aryl bromides and chlorides with aniline.