Oxygenation of a benzyl ligand in SNS-palladium complexes with O2: acceleration by anions or Brønsted acids

Abstract

A cationic SNS-benzylpalladium complex was reacted with O₂ under several conditions, affording oxygenated compounds derived from the benzyl ligand. The addition of n-Bu₄NX remarkably accelerated the oxygenation, furnishing benzaldehyde as a main organic product and dinuclear complexes; in contrast, HX also promoted the oxygenation, but mainly produced benzyl hydroperoxide and mononuclear complexes.