Aryl-phenyl scrambling in intermediate organopalladium complexes: a gas-phase study of the Mizoroki-Heck reaction.

The intramolecular aryl-phenyl scrambling reaction within palladium-DPPP-aryl complex (DPPP=1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) ions was analyzed by state-of-the-art tandem MS, including gas-phase ion/molecule reactions. The Mizoroki-Heck cross-coupling reaction was performed in the gas phase, and the intrinsic reactivity of important intermediates could be examined. Moreover, linear free-energy correlations were applied, and a mechanism for the scrambling reaction proceeding via phosphonium cations was assumed.