Bis(NHC)–Pd(II) complexes as highly efficient catalysts for allylation of aldehydes with allyltributyltin

Novel cis-chelated bidentate bis(NHC)–Pd(II) complexes derived from 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine (BINAM) bearing weakly coordinating acetate or trifluoroacetate counterions have been synthesized and their structures have been characterized by X-ray diffraction of single crystals. We found that these bis(NHC)–Pd(II) complexes were highly effective in the allylation of aldehydes with allyltributyltin to give the corresponding products in good to excellent yields in most cases at room temperature.