[Pd(H)(SnCl3)L2]: The key active species in the catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation reaction of terminal alkenes

The four complexes [Pd(H)(Cl)L2] and [Pd(H)(SnCl3)L2], L = PPh3, PCy3, have been synthesized and fully characterized by multinuclear NMR. They represent the active species of the hydride palladium-catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation of terminal alkenes. Isolation of the model acylplatinum complex, resulting from the carbonylation of dihydromyrcene, clearly shows that SnCl2 as co-catalyst produces a SnCl3 ligand which modulates the metal center electron density.