trans-Bis-[(−)ephedrinate]-palladiumII complex: synthesis, molecular modeling and use as catalyst

The reaction between palladium acetate, (−)-ephedrine and potassium acetate led to bis-chelate complex Pd[OCH(Ph)NH(Me)]2 whose the trans-structure is obtained from calculations. The use of this complex to catalyze either the 1,4-hydrogenation of (E)-2-benzyliden-1-tetralone or Heck reaction of phenyl iodide with 3-methyl-3-buten-2-ol led to a low enantiomeric excess.