Invention Summary:
Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are tremendously valuable in the synthesis of small molecules and are among the most important methods for the construction of diverse chemicals. In numerous Pd-catalyzed reactions, NHCs (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbenes) are advantageous as ancillary ligands due to their strong -donation and steric tuning around the metal center. Rutgers scientists have characterized and analyzed reactivity of novel Pd(II)-NHC precatalysts, that are highly active in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of amides by N–C(O) activation, Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of esters and aryl chlorides, and Buchwald–Hartwig amination.
Furthermore, a direct and facile synthesis method of the novel Pd(II)-NHC precatalysts has been developed from readily available anilines as throw-away ligands. The availability of various aniline scaffolds, including those with structural and electronic diversity, offers advantages in the design and fine-tuning of challenging cross-coupling reactions.
Market Applications:
- Synthesis of fine chemicals, functional materials or polymers
Advantages:
- Air- and moisture- stable
- Higher reactivity in cross-coupling reactions than the currently used cinnamyl and pyridine throw-away ligands
- Simple synthesis from inexpensive and readily available materials
- Ease of variation in reactivity and catalyst activation time by changing aniline ligands
Intellectual Property & Development Status:
Patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration.