An Abnormal N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Based Palladium Dimer: Aqueous Oxidative Heck Coupling Under Ambient Temperature

Abstract

Herein we report the synthesis of a new abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (aNHC)-based ligand and its use in synthesizing an acetate bridged CH activated palladium dimer (1). In complex 1, the carbene ligand displays an abnormal mode of binding with the palladium(II) ion. We used complex 1 as a catalyst for the oxidative Heck coupling reaction of arylboronic acids with electron-deficient as well as electron-rich olefins at ambient temperature in water to produce selectively the β-arylated products in good to excellent yields.