Synthesis and catalytic activity of cationic dinuclear palladium (II) complexes supported by thioether ligands containing two di-(2-picolyl) amine arms

The design, synthesis and characterization of a series of dithioether ligands featuring two di-(2-picolyl)amine arms (2a?2d) and their corresponding cationic dinuclear palladium (II) complexes (3a?d) are reported. Crystal structures of ligand 2b and complexes 3b and 3d were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The molecular structures of 3b and 3d display each of the two di-(2-picolyl)amine fragments coordinated to one palladium(II) atom in a (?3-N,N,N) tridentate fashion and with the cationic metal centers displaying square-planar geometries. Weak interactions between the metal centers and the thioether fragments are observed. All bimetallic complexes 3a?d were tested as catalytic precursors in the Suzuki couplings of different o- or p-substituted iodo- or bromoaryls with boronic acids. The overall catalytic results indicate that complex 3b is the best precursor of the series demonstrating even more efficient performance compared to commercial palladium sources such as Pd(OAc)2 and the Nájera Catalysts.