Synthesis and catalytic activity of palladium complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and 1,4,7-triaza-9-phosphatricyclo[5.3.2.1]tridecane (CAP) ligands.

The synthesis and characterization of novel palladium complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and 1,4,7-triaza-9-phosphatricyclo[5.3.2.1]tridecane (CAP) are reported. These organometallic complexes can be easily obtained using two different synthetic strategies that involve either the substitution of the pyridine ligand from trans-[Pd(NHC)(Py)Cl2] or by simple addition of the CAP ligand to dimeric species [Pd(NHC)Cl2]2. The mixed NHC/CAP complexes were tested as pre-catalysts in the Buchwald-Hartwig aryl amination coupling, showing good catalytic activity, especially in the case of cis-[Pd(IPr)(CAP)Cl2].