Reduction of a chelating bis(NHC) palladium(II) complex to [{μbis( NHC)}2Pd2H]+: A terminal hydride in a binuclear palladium(I) species formed under catalytically relevant conditions

Abstract

Keywords: coupling reactions;homogeneous catalysis;N-heterocyclic carbenes;palladium;reduction Half-way house: The first palladium(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complex has been isolated in high yield by the base-assisted reduction of a palladium(II) precursor. The location of the unique terminal hydride (see picture; PdI cyan, H white, N blue) was established by neutron crystal structure determination, and the solution fluxional behavior of the complex was explored.