Synthesis of pincer-type N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes with a hemilabile ligand and their application in cross-coupling catalysis

Benzimidazolium salts containing both a neutral imine and a masked carboxylate functional group for potential metal chelation were prepared. Palladation of the ester-protected ligand afforded a N,C-bidentate carbene complex 4. Subsequent ester hydrolysis preserved the bidentate coordination mode and yielded complex 5 with a pending COOH group exclusively. However, when ester deprotection was carried out prior to metalation, the N,C,O-tridentate pincer-type coordinated palladium complex 7 was obtained. Proton-abstraction of the dangling COOH group in the bidentate ligand of complex 5 by treatment with a base led to the formation of the N,C,O-tridentate coordinated Pd system 7, and inversely, exposure of the tridentate bound Pd complex 7 with acid afforded the N,C-bidentate ligand coordination mode in complex 5, demonstrating hemilability of the oxygen donor site in the pincer ligand. All three palladium(II) complexes 4, 5, and 7 were evaluated in cross-coupling catalysis and revealed distinct activity differences that are dependent on the type of coupling (Suzuki vs. Heck) and the substrate (Ar-Br vs. Ar-Cl). These differences suggest that judicious choice of donor groups in pincer-type complexes is a viable strategy for catalyst optimization.