Catalysis of CC-coupling reactions by cyclopropenylidene palladium complexes

Several mixed palladium(II) complexes bearing 2,3-diarylcyclopropenylidene ligands (aryl = phenyl, mesityl, naphthyl) and triaryl- and trialkylphosphines have been prepared. Single crystal structure details of one of the dimeric chloro-bridged complexes as well as of two monomeric phosphine substituted complexes are presented and compared with appropriate structural features of similar 2,3-diaminocyclopropenylidene- and cycloheptatrienylidene complexes. The new complexes were tested as catalysts in Suzuki–Mijaura coupling reactions with bromo- and chloroarenes and their catalytic activity compared with that of analogous NHC- and cycloheptatrienylidene complexes.