Synthetic Access to a Phosphorescent Non-Palindromic Pincer Complex of Palladium by a Double Oxidative Addition – Comproportionation Sequence

A highly luminescent non-palindromic [(C^C^N)Pd] pincer complex forms upon reacting 3-pyridine-substituted 2,2’-diiodo-biphenyl with [Pd(PPh3)4]. This case study establishes for the first time that the title compound is formed via a double oxidative addition – comproportionation sequence. DFT and TDDFT calculations complement mechanistic and photophysical characterizations.