Ligand exchange and catalysis in phenylation reactions mediated by lead tetracarboxylates

Abstract An investigation of catalysis and ligand exchange in the arylation of nucleophiles with phenylboronic acid and mixed ligand lead(IV) complexes is described. Although this reaction is known to be catalyzed by mercury(II) acetate, other heavy metals have been shown to have a similar effect, albeit less efficiently. The effect of pyridine has been investigated with a range of chelating ligands containing a pyridine sub-unit.