Uridate/pyridyl Pd(II) complexes: Phosphine-free high turnover catalysts for the Heck reaction of deactivated aryl bromides

The synthesis and structure of palladium(II) complexes bearing uridato/pyridyl ligands as an anionic N-donor coordination sites are reported. The complexes have been shown to be highly active catalysts for the Heck reaction of aryl bromides (TON 4.0×104–9.1×104) and moderate activity for the activation of aryl chlorides under phosphine-free conditions.