An Isolable Mononuclear Palladium(I) Amido Complex

Mononuclear Pd(I) species are putative intermediates in Pd-catalyzed reactions, but our knowledge about them is limited due to difficulties in accessing them. Herein, we report the isolation of a Pd(I) amido complex, [(BINAP)Pd(NHArTrip )] (BINAP = 2,2′- bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthalene, ArTrip = 2,6-bis(2’,4’,6’-triisopropylphenyl)phenyl), from the reaction of (BINAP)PdCl2 with LiNHArTrip. This Pd(I) amido species has been characterized by X-ray crystallography, electron paramagnetic resonance, and multi-edge Pd Xray absorption spectroscopy. Theoretical study revealed that, while the 3-electron-2-center π interaction between Pd and N in the Pd(I) complex imposes severe Pauli repulsion in its Pd–N bond, pronounced attractive inter-ligand dispersion force aids its stabilization. In accord with its electronic features, reactions of homolytic Pd–N bond cleavage and deprotonation of primary amines are observed on the Pd(I) amido complex.