Synthesis and catalytic activity of organometallic complexes of palladium(II) with bis-phosphine monosulfides towards ethylene/CO copolymerization

The neutral and cationic complexes of formula [(CH3)(Cl)Pd(P∧P(S))] and [(CH3)(CH3CN)Pd(P∧P(S))]BF4 [P∧P(S)=Ph2PCH2P(S)Ph2 (dppmS), Ph2P(CH2)2P(S)Ph2 (dppeS)] have been synthesized, characterized and tested as catalysts in the alternating copolymerization of ethylene and carbon monoxide. Both neutral and cationic Pd(II) complexes show η2-(P,S) coordination and cationic complexes exhibit moderate activity.