Catalytic activity of some palladium complexes of a phosphorus ylide and structure of a 2-phenylaniline-based palladacycle complex

A six-membered N,C-palladacycle bearing the 2-phenylaniline bidentate ligand (1) and three other palladium complexes of a phosphorus ylide (2, 3 and 4) were utilized in Suzuki reactions between phenylboronic acid and a number of aryl bromides and chlorides. The complexes were found to be capable homogeneous catalysts for a variety of substrates, affording the coupled products in good to excellent yields. The structure of compound I, determined by X-ray diffraction, is also reported.