Synthesis, structure and catalytic activity of thioether–phosphane complexes of Pd(ii) and Pt(ii)

Abstract

New thioether–phosphanes 2-RSC₆H₄CH₂PPh₂ (RS∼PPh₂: R = Me, ^tBu, Ph) and the corresponding complexes [PdCl₂(MeS∼PPh₂)], [PdCl₂(^tBuS∼PPh₂)], [PdCl₂(PhS∼PPh₂)], [PdClMe(MeS∼PPh₂)] and [PtMe₂(MeS∼PPh₂)] have been prepared, characterized and the X-ray crystal structures of all complexes determined. Whilst Pd(II) complexes of RS∼PPh₂ show low activity for CO/ethene copolymerisation, the complexes [PdCl₂(RS∼PPh₂)] have been found to be very efficient for the Heck arylation of n-butylacrylate with bromobenzene under aerobic conditions.