Cyclopalladation of 4-methyl-4′-nitrodibenzyl sulphide

Abstract

4-Methyl-4′-nitrodibenzyl sulphide reacts with palladium(II) acetate to afford the complex [{P[graphic omitted]CH₂C₆H₄NO₂-4′](µ-O₂CMe)}₂](1). A chloro-bridged analogue, [{P[graphic omitted]CH₂C₆H₄NO₂-4′](µ-Cl)}₂](2), prepared by the metathetical reaction of (1) with lithium chloride, undergoes a bridge-splitting reaction with 3,5-dimethylpyridine to give a mononuclear cyclopalladated complex, [P[graphic omitted]CH₂C₆H₄NO₂-4′}Cl(NC₅H₃Me₂-3,5)](3). Analysis of the proton n.m.r. spectrum of (3) indicates that the cyclopalladation by palladium(II) acetate proceeds via an electrophilic attack on the aryl group.