Palladium(II)-catalysed H/D allylic exchange in alkenes: An intermediacy of palladium(IV)?

Evidence is presented that the dimeric π-allylic species (η³-allyl)PdCl]₂ is not intermediate in the Li₂Pd₂Cl₆-catalysed allylic H/D exchange in alkenes. Neither H/D exchange in α-methylstyrene, nor enrichment of (η³-2-PhC₃H₄)PdCl]₂, was observed when the latter complex was incubated at 100°C in D₃CCOOD either in the presence or in the absence of PhC(CH₃)?CH₂, respectively. The kinetics of H/D exchange in α-methylstyrene catalysed by Li₂Pd₂Cl₆ were studied in some detail. The exchange proceeds at highest rates when reduction of palladium(II) takes place and is much slower in the presence of 1,4-benzoquinone as a palladium reoxidant. The exchange rate is directly proportional to the alkene and catalyst concentrations and independent of the reoxidant concentration. It is suggested that the palladium(II)-catalysed exchange involves an intermediate hydrid-allyl species where palladium has a formal oxidation state of IV.