Synthesis, X-ray, spectroscopic and a preliminary Suzuki coupling screening studies of a complete series of dppfMX2 (M=Pt, Pd; X=Cl, Br, I)

A complete series of dppfMX2 (M=Pt, Pd; X=Cl, Br, I) compounds have been synthesized using different routes, and characterized fully. The synthesis of dppfPdI2 has been achieved by reacting Pd(COD)Cl2 with dppf in the presence of NaI. X-ray structures of dppfPdBr2 and dppfPdI2 have also been reported for the first time in this study. A preliminary Suzuki coupling screening study reveals that dppfPdX2 compounds are superior to the conventional Ph3P-based catalysts and bidentate phosphine-based ligands. Reactions carried out under in situ conditions also gave a similar trend, but their respective activities were much lower than that of the fully formed catalysts.