Synthesis, X-ray, spectroscopic and a preliminary Suzuki coupling screening studies of a complete series of dPPfMX(2) (M = Pt, Pd; X = Cl, Br, I)

A complete series of dppfMX(2) (M = Pt, Pd; X = Cl, Br, I) compounds have b een synthesized using different routes, and characterized fully. The synthe sis of dppfPdI, has been achieved by reacting Pd(COD)Cl-2 with dppf in the presence of NaI. X-ray structures of dppfPdBr(2) and dppfPdI(2) have also b een reported for the first time in this study. A preliminary Suzuki couplin g screening study reveals that dppfPdX(2), compounds are superior to the co nventional Ph3P-based catalysts and bidentate phosphine-based ligands. Reac tions carried out under in situ conditions also gave a similar trend, but t heir respective activities were much lower than that of the fully formed ca talysts. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.