We
report the synthesis of bimetallic Pd(I) and Pd(II) complexes
with bidentate 2-phosphinoimidazole ligands and their catalytic activity
to generate substituted naphthalenes. This process involves the coupling
of an aryl iodide and 2 equiv of a ketone via sequential ketone α-arylation
and then annulation to generate disubstituted and tetrasubstituted
naphthalenes in a regioselective manner. Excellent substrate scope
for both aryl iodide and ketone partners is demonstrated, including
that for heteroaryl iodides. Bimetallic Pd complexes are much more
reactive than monometallic Pd catalysts in this transformation. Density
functional theory calculations, isotope effect experiments, and substrate
competition experiments were used to examine bimetallic mechanisms,
reactivity, and selectivity.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.