A Copper(I)–Arene Complex With an Unsupported η6 Interaction

Addition of PR₃ (R=Ph or OPh) to [Cu(η²‐Me₆C₆)₂][PF₆] results in the formation of [(η⁶‐Me₆C₆)Cu(PR₃)][PF₆], the first copper–arene complexes to feature an unsupported η⁶ arene interaction. A DFT analysis reveals that the preference for the η⁶ binding mode is enforced by the steric clash between the methyl groups of the arene ligand and the phenyl rings of the phosphine co‐ligand.     

Synthesis and characterization of water-soluble palladium(II)-functionalized diphosphine complexes

Water-soluble functionalized bis(phosphine) ligands L (a–h) of the general formula CH₂(CH₂PR₂)₂, where for a: R = (CH₂)₆OH; b–g: R = (CH₂)_nP(O)(OEt)₂, n = 2–6 and n = 8; h: R = (CH₂)₃NH₂ ( Scheme 1), have been prepared photochemically by hydrophosphination of the corresponding 1-alkenes with H₂P(CH₂)₃PH₂. Water-soluble palladium complexes cis-[Pd(L)(OAc)₂] (1–8) were obtained by the reaction of Pd(OAc)₂ with the ligands a–h in a 1:1 mixture of dichloromethane:acetonitrile. The water-soluble phosphine ligands and their palladium complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H and ³¹P NMR. A crystallographic study of complex 1 shows that the Pd(II) ion has a square planar coordination sphere in which the acetate ligands and the diphosphine ligand deviate by less than 0.12 Å from ideal planar.     

Palladium(II)/allylpalladium(II) complexes with xanthate ligands: Single-source precursors for the generation of palladium sulfide nanocrystals

In an effort to find simple and common single-source precursors for palladium sulfide nanostructures, palladium(II) complexes, [Pd(S₂X)₂] (X = COMe (1), COⁱPr (2)) and η³-allylpalladium complexes with xanthate ligands, [(η³-CH₂C(CH₃)CR₂)Pd(S₂X)] (R = H, X = COMe (3); R = H, X = COEt (4); R = H, X = COⁱPr (5); R = CH₃, X = COMe (6)), have been investigated. The crystal structures of [Pd(S₂X)₂] (X = COMe (1), CoⁱPr (2)) and [(η³-CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂)Pd(S₂COMe)] (3) have been established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complexes, 1, 2 and 3 all contain a square planar palladium(II) centre. In the allyl complex 3, this is defined by the two sulfurs of the xanthate and the outer carbons of the 2-methylallyl ligand, while in the complexes, 1 and 2 it is defined by the four sulfur atoms of the xanthate ligand. Thermogravimetric studies have been carried out to evaluate the thermal stability of η³-allylpalladium(II) analogues. The complexes are useful precursors for the growth of nanocrystals of PdS either by furnace decomposition or solvothermolysis in dioctyl ether. The solvothermal decomposition of complexes in dioctyl ether gives a new metastable phase of PdS which can be transformed to the more stable tetragonal phase at 320 °C. The nanocrystals obtained have been characterized by PXRD, SEM, TEM and EDX.     

Functional ligands and complexes for new structures, homogeneous catalysts and nanomaterials

In this account, we focus on results from our laboratory to illustrate recent developments in various fields of organometallic chemistry. Studies on hemilabile P,N donor ligands and on the ion-pair behaviour of cationic Pd(II) complexes have led to the full characterization of complexes with η¹-allyl ligands. This still rare bonding mode for the allyl ligand in palladium chemistry allows facile insertion of CO into the Pd-C σ-bond, in contrast to the situation in related η³-allyl Pd(II) complexes. In order to develop new homogeneous catalysts for the selective dimerization and oligomerization of ethylene, a range of Ni(II) complexes have been prepared with new chelating P,N ligands where P represents a phosphine, phosphinite or phosphonite donor group and N a pyridine or oxazoline moiety. Finally, we shall examine bottom-up approaches to the formation of new nanomaterials of magnetic or catalytic interest by covalent anchoring of metal complexes and clusters into mesoporous materials using functional phosphine or alkyne ligands containing an alkoxysilyl group.     

Palladium Chemistry Related to Benzyl Bromide Carbonylation: Mechanistic Studies

Summary.  Palladium(II) complexes of the general formula PdCl₂ (PR₃)₂ with PR₃ = { P(OPh)₃}, P(O-4-MeC₆H₄)₃, P(O-2-MeC₆H₄)₃, and PPh₂(OBu) were reduced by NEt₃ in chloroform or benzene to Pd(0) complexes Pd(PR₃)₄ and Pd(PR₃)_x(NEt₃) _4−x . The same reaction performed in the presence of air gave CH₃CHO or CH₃CH₂CHO when NPr₃ was used instead of NEt₃. Pd(P(OPh)₃)₄ reacted with benzyl bromide affording the oxidative addition product cis-PdBr(CH₂Ph)(P(OPh)₃)₂. The reaction of PdCl₂(P(OPh)₃)₂ with benzyl bromide was observed only in the presence of NEt₃, and a dimeric complex of [PdBr(CH₂Ph)(P(OPh)₃)]₂ was identified as the reaction product. Both benzyl complexes reacted fast with CO (1 atm) to form acyl complexes exhibiting ν(CO) bands at 1709 and 1650 cm⁻¹.     

Cyclic acyl complexes of palladium(II). Synthesis and NMR spectroscopy of acyl complexes derived from quinoline-8-carbaldehyde and 2-(dimethylamino)benzaldehyde

The room temperature syntheses of new chelating acyl palladium(II) complexes, [Pd(μ-Cl)(C(O)C₉H₆N)]₂ and [Pd(μ-Cl)(C(O)C₆H₄N(CH₃)₂]₂, derived from quinoline-8-carbaldehyde and 2-(dimethylamino)banzaldehyde are described. These chloro bridged dimers may be cleaved with neutral phosphine and nitrogen ligands, L, to give the monomeric [PdCl(C(O)C₉H₆N)L] and [PdCl(C(O)C₆H₄N(CH₃)₂)L] compounds. ¹H-, ¹³C- and ³¹P-NMR data for the new complexes are reported.     

Dinuclear Pd(II) and Pt(II) compounds bearing a bridging π-conjugated moiety: synthesis and reactivity toward alkynes and isocyanides

Abstract

Dinuclear Pd(II) halides that contain bridging π-conjugated groups, trans,trans-[(PR₃)₂(X)Pd–Y–Pd(X)(PR₃)₂] (X?=?Br; YH₂ = terpyridine, fluorenone, benzil, benzthiadiazole), were prepared by the oxidative addition of corresponding dihalo π-conjugated reagents to [Pd(styrene)(PR₃)₂]. Similar reactions involving dihalobenzil, dihalobithiophene, or dihaloterthiophene afforded dinuclear Pt(II) halides containing bridging π-conjugated groups. Additionally, when the dihalosilole derivatives {2,5-dibromo-1,1-dimethyl (or diphenyl)-3,4-diphenylsilole} reacted with [Pd(styrene)(PR₃)₂], mono or dinuclear Pd(II) complexes bearing a dimethyl (or diphenyl)-3,4-diphenylsilole group were obtained. π-Conjugation extension reactions of dinuclear bithiophene-bridged Pd(II) halides with HC≡C–R {R?=?SiPh₃, C(O)OMe} in the presence of CuI and HNEt₂ led to the unexpected formation of bis(acetylide) Pd(II) complexes of the form, [Pd(C≡C–R)₂(PR₃)₂] and bithiophene. In contrast, treatment of the dinuclear Pd(II) halides with two equiv of organic isocyanide resulted in isocyanide insertion into the Pd???C bonds to afford π-conjugation-extended dinuclear Pd(II) compounds bearing a π-conjugated moiety.     

Strukturdynamische organometall-komplexe: III. Synthese,struktur und bindungsverhältnisse der komplexe (η5-C5H5)Pd(η1-C5H5)PR3

The complexes (η₅-C₅H₅)Pd(η¹-C₅H₅)PR₃ which are prepared from [Cl(PR₃)-Pd]₂(μ-OCOCH₃)₂ and TlC₅H₅ are fluxional in solution. According to the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra at various temperatures, two dynamic processes occur. The process with the higher activation energy is a π/σ (η⁵/η¹) exchange of the two different cyclopentadienyl ligands, whereas the second one with the lower activation energy presumably is a metallotropic rearrangement (1,2-shift). The coalescence temperature for the η⁵/η¹ exchange depends on the size of the phosphine. The X-ray structural analysis of (C₅H₅)₂PdPPrⁱ₃ proves that it exists as a “frozen” η⁵ + η¹ structure in the crystal with the palladium approximately in a square-planar coordination. The η⁵-bonded cyclopentadienyl ring shows some unusual bonding patterns which are obviously electronic in nature. EHT-MO calculations for (η⁵-C₅H₅)PdCH₃(PH₃) indicate that in this model system alternating CC distances in the ring and a stronger bond of the metal to one of the five carbon atoms of the C₅H₅ ligand are to be expected. The calculations suggest that in similar complexes possessing a six-electron donor ligand like C₅H₅^? and a metal fragment which is isolobal to PdCH₃(PH₃)⁺, analogous distortions should be observed. Some reactions of the compounds (η⁵-C₅H₅)Pd(η¹-C₅H₅)PR₃ are described.     

Synthesis and characterization of new oxazoline-based palladacycles with bridging or terminal imidate ligands. Crystal structures of [{Pd(μ-dibromomaleimidate)(Phox)}2], [Pd(dibromomaleimidate)(Phox)(PPh3)] and [Pd(glutarimidate)(Phox)(PPh3)] (Phox = 2-(2-oxazolinyl)phenyl))

The dinuclear hydroxo complex [{Pd(μ-OH)(Phox)}₂] (I) (Phox = 2-(2-oxazolinyl)phenyl) reacts in a 1:2 molar ratio with several imidate ligands to yield new cyclometallated palladium complexes [{Pd(μ-NCO)(Phox)}₂] containing asymmetric imidate –NCO– bridging units. [–NCO– = succinimidate (succ) (1), phtalimidate (phtal) (2), maleimidate (mal) (3), 2,3-dibromomaleimidate (2,3-diBrmal) (4) and glutarimidate (glut) (5)]. The reaction of these complexes with tertiary phosphines provides novel mononuclear N-bonded imidate derivatives of the general formula [Pd(imidate)(Phox)(PR₃)] [R = Ph (a), 4-F–C₆H₄ (b) or CH₂CH₂CN (c)]. The new complexes were characterized by partial elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods (IR, FAB, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P). The single-crystal structures of compounds 4, 4a and 5a have been established.     

Trägerfixierte Organometallkomplexe. IV. Strukturuntersuchungen an neutralen und kationischen (Ether-phosphan)palladium(II)-Komplexen

Supported Organometallic Complexes. IV. Structural Investigations on Neutral and Cationic (Ether-phosphane)palladium(II) Complexes . Reaction of the (ether-phosphane) ligands PhP(R)CH₂—D ( 2a?c ) [D=CH₂OCH₃: R=Ph ( a ), (CH₂)₃Si(OCH₃)₃ ( b ), (CH₂)₃SiO_3/2 ( b ′); D= R=(CH₂)₃Si(OCH₃)₃ ( c ), (CH₂)₃SiO_3/2 ( c ′)] with Cl₂Pd(COD) ( 1 ) results in the formation of Cl₂Pd(P — O)₂ ( 3a?c ). Cleavage of Cl^? from 3 with AgSbF₆ yields the cationic, monochelated complexes [ClPd(P — O)(P ∩ O)]⁺ ( 4 a—c ) (P — O: η¹-P-coordinated; P ∩ O: η²-O ∩ P-coordinated). 4 a crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with the lattice constants a=1 062,4(2), b=1 912,2(4) und c=1 635,5(3) pm, β=101,22(3)° and Z=4 (R=0,0341; R_w=0,033). With water 3 b, c and 4 b, c are subjected to polycondensation to give the supported complexes 3 b′, c′, 4 b′, c ′. The structure 3 b′, c′, 4 b′, c ′ is investigated by comparison of their ³¹P CP MAS data with the ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra of their soluble precursors 3 b, c, 4 b, c . ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectra of 3 b′, c ′ and 4 b′, c ′ indicate η¹-P- and η²-O ∩ P-coordination of the ligands. The polysiloxane network of 4 b ′ was inspected by contact time variation of the ²⁹Si CP MAS NMR spectra and it appeared that 77% of the Si—O units are crosslinked, corresponding to a ratio T₄:T₃:T₁=67:100:10.     

Variable Bonding Modes of Pyrimidine‐2‐thione in PdII/PtII Complexes [M(η2‐N,S‐pymS)(η1‐S‐pymS)(PPh3)] and [M(η1‐S‐pymS)2(L‐L)] (L‐L = dppm,dppe)

Reactions of pyrimidine‐2‐thione (HpymS) with Pd^II/Pt^IV salts in the presence of triphenyl phosphine and bis(diphenylphosphino)alkanes, Ph₂P‐(CH₂)_m‐PPh₂ (m = 1, 2) have yielded two types of complexes, viz. a) [M(η²‐N, S‐ pymS)(η¹‐S‐ pymS)(PPh₃)] (M = Pd, 1 ; Pt, 2 ), and (b) [M(η¹‐S‐pymS)₂(L‐L)] {L‐L, M = dppm (m = 1) Pd, 3 ; Pt, 4 ; dppe (m = 2), Pd, 5 ; Pt, 6 }. Complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis (C, H, N), NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P), and single crystal X‐ray crystallography ( 1 , 2 , 4 , and 5 ). Complexes 1 and 2 have terminal η¹‐S and chelating η²‐N, S‐modes of pymS⁻, while other Pd/Pt complexes have only terminal η¹‐S modes. The solution state ³¹P NMR spectral data reveal dynamic equilibrium for the complexes 3 , 5 and 6 , whereas the complexes 1 , 2 and 4 are static in solution state.     

Spectral,crystallographic, theoretical and antibacterial studies of palladium(II)/platinum(II) complexes with unsymmetric diphosphine ylides

The reaction of α‐keto‐stabilized diphosphine ylides [Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂═C(H)C(O)C₆H₄‐p‐CN] (n = 1 (Y¹); n = 2 (Y²)) with dibromo(1,5‐cyclooctadiene) palladium(II)/platinum(II) complexes, [Pd/PtBr₂(cod)], in equimolar ratio gave the new cyclometalated Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes [Br₂Pd(κ²‐Y¹)] ( 1 ), [Br₂Pt(κ²‐Y¹)] ( 2 ), [Br₂Pd(κ²‐Y²)] ( 3 ) and [Br₂Pt(κ²‐Y²)] ( 4 ). These compounds were screened in a search for novel antibacterial agents and characterized successfully using Fourier transfer infrared and NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) spectroscopic methods. Also, the structures of complexes 1 and 2 were characterized using X‐ray crystallography. The results showed that the P,C‐chelated complexes 1 and 2 have structures consisting of five‐membered rings, while 3 and 4 have six‐membered rings, formed by coordination of the ligand through the phosphine group and the ylidic carbon atom to the metal centre. Also, a theoretical study of the structures of complexes 1 – 4 was conducted at the BP86/def2‐SVP level of theory. The nature of metal–ligand bonds in the complexes was investigated using energy decomposition analyses (EDA) and extended transition state combined with natural orbitals for chemical valence analyses. The results of EDA confirmed that the main portions of ΔE_int, about 57–58%, in the complexes are allocated to ΔE_elstat.     

A convenient reagent for generation and stabilization of cationic methallylpalladium complexes containing nitrogen ligands

A convenient synthesis of the easily handled, air stable methallyloxyphosphonium salt [CH₂C(Me)CH₂⁻O-P(NMe₂)₃]⁺[(3,5-(CF₃)₂-C₆H₃)₄B]⁻5 is described. The utility of this reagent in the generation and stabilization of cationic η³-methallyl palladium complexes through oxidative addition reactions is illustrated by the preparation of the stable salts of [(η³-C₄H₇)Pd(NN)]⁺[(3,5-(CF₃)₂-C₆H₃)₄B]⁻ from Pd₂(dba)₃. The molecular structure of one of them has been determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and characterization of some trans-hydridomethylbis(phosphine)-platinum(II) and -palladium(II) complexes

Several trans-hydridomethylbis(phosphine)-platinum(II) and -palladium(II) complexes have been made by the reaction: trans-M(H)Cl(PR₃)₂ + CH₃MgBr → trans-M(CH₃)(PR₃)₂ + MgClBr and their structures determined by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy. The complexes in which M  Pt and R  Cy (cyclohexyl) or i-Pr (isopropyl) are very stable in the solid state and in solution, while the compounds in which M  Pt, R  Et (ethyl) and M  Pd, R  i-Pr slowly decompose either in the solid state or in solution. The compound in which M  Pd and R  Cy was not isolated but was identified in solution.     

Syntheses and characterization of new palladium(II) complexes with functionally substituted cyclopentadienyl groups

Thallium [1-(p-tolylimino)-2-methylpropyl]cyclopentadienide, Tl[C₅H₄C(=NC₆H₄CH₃)CH(CH₃)₂], was prepared and treatment of the salt with [{PdCl₂(PREt₂)}₂] (R = Ph and Et) yielded mononuclear palladium(II) complexes, [Pd{η⁵-C₅H₄C(=NC₆H₄CH₃)CH(CH₃)₂}Cl(PREt₂)], with an imidoyl-substituted η⁵-cyclopentadienyl group. In addition, [Pd(η⁵-C₅H₄-COY)Cl(PPhEt₂)] (Y = CH₃ and OCH₃) complexes were obtained from the sodium salts of their substituted cyclopentadienyl groups. These new compounds were characterized by means of ¹H and ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy.     

Coordination of Ligands That Contain Thiocarbonyl,Carbonyl, or Thiolate Functionalities to Complex Fragments of Palladium in Various Oxidation States

Two phosphine ligands of [Pd(PPh₃)₄] were substituted by π(C?S) coordination of 4‐bromodithiobenzoic acid methyl ester resulting in complex 1 . The same ester, after alkylation, afforded the dicationic complex bis(μ‐methanethiolato)tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)dipalladium(2+) bis(tetrafluoroborate) ( 2 ) from the same palladium source. A related thiolato‐bridged complex, bis(μ‐methanethiolato)bis(1‐methylpyridin‐2(1H)‐ylidene)bis(triphenylphosphine)dipalladium(2+) bis(tetrafluoroborate) ( 4 ) and the trinuclear cluster tris(μ‐methanethiolato)tris(triphenylphosphine)tripalladium(+)(3Pd? Pd) ( 5 ) resulted from treatment of a known cationic pyridinylidene complex with MeSLi. The double oxidative substitution reaction of [Pd(PPh₃)₄] with 1,5‐dichloro‐9,10‐anthraquinone afforded trans‐dichloro[μ‐(9,10‐dihydro‐9,10‐dioxoanthracene‐1,5‐diyl)]tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)dipalladium ( 6 ). Some of these complexes could be fully characterized by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, and ³¹P‐NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The crystal and molecular structures of all of them, and of trans‐bis(1,3‐dihydro‐1,3‐dimethyl‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene)diiodopalladium ( 3 ), were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

High-pressure NMR study of migratory CO-insertion in palladium-methyl complexes modified with Cs-symmetrical 1,4-diphosphines

Carbonylation of the palladium complexes [PdCH₃(P^∧P′)Cl] (P^∧P′ = 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e) and [PdCH₃(P^∧P′)(CH₃CN)](OTf) was investigated by means of high-pressure NMR with the determination of the half-life times t_1/2. The results were rationalized on the basis of the electronic properties of the diphosphines and the nature of the solvento ligand in the first coordination sphere. The crystal structures of the complexes [Pd(1b)Cl₂] and [Pd(1b)(H₂O)₂](OTf)₂ are described (1b = 1-(diphenylphosphinomethyl)-2-[bis(3- trifluoromethylphenyl)phosphinomethyl]benzene).     

Kohlenwasserstoffverbrückte Metallkomplexe. L Dicarbonyl‐cyclopentadienyl‐pyridoyl‐eisen‐Komplexe als Liganden

Hydrocarbon‐bridged Metal Complexes. L Dicarbonyl Cyclopentadienyl Pyridoyl Iron Complexes as Ligands Dicarbonyl‐cyclopentadienyl‐2‐ and 3‐pyridoyl‐iron (L¹, L²) and 2,6‐dicarbonyl‐pyridine‐bis(dicarbonyl‐cyclopentadienyl‐iron) (L³) function as ligands in metal complexes and the N,O‐chelates [(OC)₄M(L¹)] (M = Mo, W, 8 a, b ) and [(Ph₃P)₂Cu(L¹)]⁺BF₄^– ( 9 ) were prepared. Monodentate coordination of L¹ and L² through the pyridine N‐atom occurs in the palladium(II) complexes [Cl₂Pd(PnBu₃)(L¹)] ( 10 ), [Cl₂Pd(PnBu₃)(L²)] ( 11 ) and [Cl₂Pd(L²)₂] ( 12 ). Ligand L³ forms the O,N,O‐bis(chelate) [Cl₂Zn(L³)] ( 13 ). The crystal and molecular structures of L¹, 8 b (M = W), 9–11 and 13 were determined by X‐ray diffraction.     

A halide‐free pyridinium‐substituted η3‐cycloheptatrienide–Pd complex

We report the synthesis and characterization of a novel 4‐(dimethylamino)pyridinium‐substituted η³‐cycloheptatrienide–Pd complex which is free of halide ligands. Diacetonitrile{η³‐[4‐(dimethylamino)pyridinium‐1‐yl]cycloheptatrienido}palladium(II) bis(tetrafluoroborate), [Pd(C₂H₃N)₂(C₁₄H₁₆N₂)](BF₄)₂, was prepared by the exchange of two bromide ligands for noncoordinating anions, which results in the empty coordination sites being occupied by acetonitrile ligands. As described previously, exchange of only one bromide leads to a dimeric complex, di‐μ‐bromido‐bis({η³‐[4‐(dimethylamino)pyridinium‐1‐yl]cycloheptatrienido}palladium(II)) bis(tetrafluoroborate) acetonitrile disolvate, [Pd₂Br₂(C₁₄H₁₆N₂)₂](BF₄)₂·2CH₃CN, with bridging bromide ligands, and the crystal structure of this compound is also reported here. The structures of the cycloheptatrienide ligands of both complexes are analogous to the dibromide derivative, showing the allyl bond in the β‐position with respect to the pyridinium substituent. This indicates that, unlike a previous interpretation, the main reason for the formation of the β‐isomer cannot be internal hydrogen bonding between the cationic substituents and bromide ligands.     

Pincer‐Type Heck Catalysts and Mechanisms Based on PdIV Intermediates: A Computational Study

Pincer‐type palladium complexes are among the most active Heck catalysts. Due to their exceptionally high thermal stability and the fact that they contain Pd^II centers, controversial Pd^II/Pd^IV cycles have been often proposed as potential catalytic mechanisms. However, pincer‐type Pd^IV intermediates have never been experimentally observed, and computational studies to support the proposed Pd^II/Pd^IV mechanisms with pincer‐type catalysts have never been carried out. In this computational study the feasibility of potential catalytic cycles involving Pd^IV intermediates was explored. Density functional calculations were performed on experimentally applied aminophosphine‐, phosphine‐, and phosphite‐based pincer‐type Heck catalysts with styrene and phenyl bromide as substrates and (E)‐stilbene as coupling product. The potential‐energy surfaces were calculated in dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent and demonstrate that Pd^II/Pd^IV mechanisms are thermally accessible and thus a true alternative to formation of palladium nanoparticles. Initial reaction steps of the lowest energy path of the catalytic cycle of the Heck reaction include dissociation of the chloride ligands from the neutral pincer complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Cl)] [X=NH, R=piperidinyl ( 1 a ); X=O, R=piperidinyl ( 1 b ); X=O, R=iPr ( 1 c ); X=CH₂, R=iPr ( 1 d )] to yield cationic, three‐coordinate, T‐shaped 14e^? palladium intermediates of type [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd]⁺ ( 2 ). An alternative reaction path to generate complexes of type 2 (relevant for electron‐poor pincer complexes) includes initial coordination of styrene to 1 to yield styrene adducts [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Cl)(CH₂?CHPh)] ( 4 ) and consecutive dissociation of the chloride ligand to yield cationic square‐planar styrene complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(CH₂?CHPh)]⁺ ( 6 ) and styrene. Cationic styrene adducts of type 6 were additionally found to be the resting states of the catalytic reaction. However, oxidative addition of phenyl bromide to 2 result in pentacoordinate Pd^IV complexes of type [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Br)(C₆H₅)]⁺ ( 11 ), which subsequently coordinate styrene (in trans position relative to the phenyl unit of the pincer cores) to yield hexacoordinate phenyl styrene complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Br)(C₆H₅)(CH₂?CHPh)]⁺ ( 12 ). Migration of the phenyl ligand to the olefinic bond gives cationic, pentacoordinate phenylethenyl complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Br)(CHPhCH₂Ph)]⁺ ( 13 ). Subsequent β‐hydride elimination induces direct HBr liberation to yield cationic, square‐planar (E)‐stilbene complexes with general formula [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(CHPh?CHPh)]⁺ ( 14 ). Subsequent liberation of (E)‐stilbene closes the catalytic cycle.