A simple synthetic entryway into palladium cross-coupling catalysis

Abstract

The simple synthesis of a family of palladates containing an imidazolium counterion is presented. These “ate” complexes can be easily converted into well-defined palladium–N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. The synthetic protocols leading to the “ate” and to the Pd–NHC neutral complexes have been exemplified with various NHC ligands. The palladates prove efficient pre-catalysts enabling Suzuki–Miyaura and Mizoroki–Heck reactions.