Synthesis of new Pd(NHC)-PEPPSI type complexes as catalysts toward C-C cross-coupling reactions

Abstract The goal of our research is to synthesis homogeneous catalysts, for which we take start from two novel precursors of 1-(3-methyloxetane-3-yl)benzimidazole and 5,6-dimethyl-1-((3-methyloxetane-3-yl)benzimidazole. A series of ligands containing 1,3-disubstituted benzimidazolium salts were synthesized from the corresponding precursors to form N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands. Furthermore, four new Pd(NHC)-PEPPSI type complexes were synthesized from these ligands. The structure elucidation of all the synthesized ligands, and complexes was confirmed by various spectroscopic techniques such as NMR, FT-IR. The compounds 1b, 2b, 3a, 3d were confirmed by the X-ray technique. All these complexes were found significantly active as catalysts toward the C-C cross-coupling reaction.