Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of a naphthyl-substituted photosensitizing BINAP–palladium complex

Abstract

A novel light-active Pd complex having a BINAP ligand with 2-naphthyl substituents on the phosphines was synthesized and characterized. The complex showed good polymerization activity toward 4-methoxystyrene during irradiation (λ = 395 nm) and the reaction progress can be controlled by ON–OFF switching of the light source. Mechanistic investigations strongly suggest a coordination–insertion mechanism.