Fluoroalkylated N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of palladium

Fluoroalkylated N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of palladium have been synthesized from imidazolium salts and Pd(OAc)2. The analogous carbene complexes bearing long alkyl chains have also been prepared. The formation of these carbene complexes proceeds via an intermediate binuclear species, which has been isolated. Complexes such as these may find applications in catalysis in supercritical CO2 (scCO2).