Synthesis and Reactivity of a Nucleophilic Palladium(II) Carbene

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Two formal palladium carbene complexes, [PC(sp 2 )P]Pd(PR 3 ) ( 3: R = Me; 4: R = Ph) were isolated and characterized from [PC(sp 3 )H 2 P] ([PC(sp 3 )H 2 P] = bis[2-(di-isopropylphosphino)phenyl]methane, i Pr 2 P-C 6 H 4 -CH 2 -C 6 H 4 -P i Pr 2 ). Structural studies and DFT calculations indicate that the interaction between palladium and carbon is best described as a single bond, associated with nucleophilic character at that carbon atom. The characteristics of 3 were probed by reactions with electrophiles (MeI), acids (MeOH and HCl), and para -toluidine.