Resorcin[4]arene-derived mono-, bis- and tetra-imidazolium salts as ligand precursors for Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling

Eleven resorcinarene cavitands bearing either one, two or four (3-R-1-imidazolylium)-methyl substituents (R = ⁿBu, Ph, Mes, ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) anchored at resorcinolic “ortho” positions have been synthesised from the appropriate bromomethylated precursor. Combining the imidazolium salts with palladium acetate and Cs₂CO₃ gave active Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling catalysts. The highest activities were observed with the doubly functionalised cavitands, which all have the imidazolylium groups attached to proximal resorcinol units.