Syntheses, structural, electrochemical and optical studies of heterobinuclear ruthenium-osmium alkynyl complexes

The complexes trans-[Os(CCC₆H₄-4-CCR)Cl(dppe)₂] (R = SiPrⁱ₃1, H 2), trans,trans-[(dppe)₂ClOs(CCC₆H₄-4-CC)RuX(dppe)₂] (X = Cl 3, CCC₆H₄-4-CCSiPrⁱ₃4), trans-[Os(CCC₆H₄-4-CCC₆H₄-4-CCR)Cl(dppe)₂] (R = SiPrⁱ₃5, H 6), and trans,trans-[(dppe)₂ClOs(CCC₆H₄-4-CCC₆H₄-4-CC)RuCl(dppe)₂] (7) have been synthesized, and the identities of 1, 2, and 6 confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Cyclic voltammetry shows that the mononuclear complexes 1, 2, 5, and 6 are oxidized at potentials within a narrow range (0.45-0.49 V), in processes centered on the osmium ethynyl neighbourhood and for simplicity assigned as Os^II/III, while the heterobinuclear complexes 3, 4, and 7 exhibit lower oxidation potentials for Os^II/III and a second oxidation process assigned in a similar fashion to Ru^II/III; the difference in potential between the Os- and Ru-localized processes decreases as the π-bridge is lengthened. UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical studies on 1 and 5 reveal the appearance on oxidation of a low-energy band ascribed to chloro to metal-ethynyl charge transfer. Osmium-centered oxidation at the heterobinuclear complexes 4 and 7 results in appearance of a low-energy band, which blue-shifts and increases in intensity on further oxidation to 4²⁺ and 7²⁺.     

Synthesis and structural characterizations of diorganotin(IV) complexes with 2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid

Two types of diorganotin(IV) complexes {[R₂Sn(O₂CC₄H₃N₂)]₂O}₂ (R = n-octyl 1, 2-ClC₆H₄CH₂3, 2-FC₆H₄CH₂5, 4-FC₆H₄CH₂7) and R₂Sn(O₂CC₄H₃N₂)₂ (R = n-octyl 2, 2-ClC₆H₄CH₂4, 2-FC₆H₄CH₂6, 4-FC₆H₄CH₂8) were prepared by reactions of diorganotin oxide with 2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid. The complexes 1-8 are characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopies. The complexes {[(n-C₈H₁₇)₂Sn(O₂CC₄H₃N₂)]₂O}₂ (1) and (n-C₈H₁₇)₂Sn(O₂CC₄H₃N₂)₂ (2) are also determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction, which reveal that the endo-cyclic tin atom of complex 1, is seven-coordinate, and the exo-cyclic tin atom is hexa-coordinated geometry, while the complex 2 is seven-coordinated geometry. The nitrogen atom of the aromatic ring participates in the interactions with the Sn atom.     

Facile synthesis of achiral and chiral PCN pincer palladium(II) complexes and their application in the Suzuki and copper-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions

Five non-symmetrical PCN pincer palladium(II) complexes [PdCl{C₆H₃-2-(CHNR)-6-()}] (R = m-ClC₆H₄, R′ = Ph (2a); R = Ph, R′ = Ph (2b); R = i-Pr, R′ = Ph (2c); R = m-ClC₆H₄, R′ = i-Pr (2d); R = (S)-1-phenylethyl, R′ = Ph (2e)) have been easily prepared in only two steps from readily available m-hydroxybenzaldehyde and characterized by HRMS, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ³¹P NMR and IR spectra. The molecular structures of 2a and 2b have been further determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The obtained Pd complexes were found to be effective catalysts for the Suzuki and copper-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions which could be carried out in the undried solvent under air.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of diorganotin(IV) esters with pyruvic acid isonicotinyl hydrazone and pyruvic acid salicylhydrazone Schiff bases

Eight diorganotin esters of Schiff base ligands formulated as [R₂SnLY]₂, where L₁ is 4-NC₅H₄CON₂C(CH₃) CO₂ with Y = H₂O, R = Ph (1), PhCH₂ (2), m-ClC₆H₄CH₂ (3), and L₂ is 2-HOC₆H₄CON₂C(CH₃) CO₂ with Y = CH₃OH, R = PhCH₂ (4), o-ClC₆H₄CH₂ (5), m-ClC₆H₄CH₂ (6), o-FC₆H₄CH₂ (7), p-FC₆H₄CH₂ (8) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectra. The crystal structures of compounds 1, 2 and 4 have been determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction. Their structures show that the tin atoms of three compounds are all rendered seven-coordinated in distorted pentagonal bipyramid geometries with a planar SnO₄N unit and two apical aryl carbon atoms. A comparison of the IR spectra of the ligands with those of the corresponding compounds, reveals that the disappearance of the bands assigned to carbonyl unambiguously conforms that the ligands coordinate with tin in the enol form.     

Synthesis, characterization, and applications in Heck and Suzuki coupling reactions of amphiphilic cyclopalladated ferrocenylimines

A series of novel amphiphilic ferrocenylimines and their cyclopalladated complexes of general formula [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄CR₁NR₂)] (R₁=H, R₂=C₁₂H₂₅-n4a, R₁=H, R₂=C₁₆H₃₃-n4b, R₁=CH₃, R₂=C₁₂H₂₅-n4c, R₁=CH₃, R₂=C₁₆H₃₃-n4d), [PdCl{[(η⁵-C₅H₅)]Fe[(η⁵-C₅H₃)CR₁NR₂]}]₂ (5a-d), [PdCl{[(η⁵-C₅H₅)]Fe[(η⁵-C₅H₃)-CR₁NR₂]}(PPh₃)] (6a-d), were prepared and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ³¹P NMR, IR, HRMS, and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of 5c,d were determined by X-ray crystallography. These amphiphilic cyclopalladated complexes are thermally stable and insensitive to oxygen and moisture. The redox properties of 4a-d, 5a-d, 6a-d were also investigated using cyclic voltammetric technique. Compounds 5a-d, 6a-d displayed good activity in the Heck reaction of a variety of aryl halides with ethyl acrylate or styrene and the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid in bulk solution. They are also suitable for formation of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films.     

Phosphine free diamino-diol based palladium catalysts and their application in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions

Inexpensive air and moisture stable diamino-diol ligands [(2-OH-C₁₀H₆)CH₂(μ-NC₄H₈N)CH₂(C₁₀H₆-2-OH)] (1) and [(5-^tBuC₆H₃-2-OH)CH₂(μ-NC₄H₈N)CH₂(5-^tBuC₆H₃-2-OH)] (2) were synthesized by reacting corresponding alcohols with formaldehyde and piperazine. Treatment of ligands 1 and 2 with Pd(OAc)₂ in 1:1 molar ratio afforded neutral palladium complexes [Pd{(OC₁₀H₆)CH₂(μ-NC₄H₈N)CH₂(C₁₀H₆O)}] (3) and [Pd{(5-^tBuC₆H₃-2-O)CH₂(μ-NC₄H₈N)CH₂(5-^tBuC₆H₃-2-O)}] (4) in good yield. The palladium complexes 3 and 4 are employed in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions between phenylboronic acid and several aryl chlorides or bromides. They are found to be competent homogeneous catalysts for a variety of substrates to afford the coupled products in good to excellent yields. The crystal structures of compounds 2 and 4 are also reported.     

Synthesis, characterization and butadiene polymerization studies of cobalt(II) complexes bearing bisiminopyridine ligand

A series of 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl Co(II) complexes of the general formulas [2,6-(ArNCMe)₂C₅H₃N]CoCl₂ (Ar = -C₆H₅, 3a; 2-MeC₆H₄, 3b; 2-EtC₆H₄, 3c; 2-ⁱPrC₆H₄, 3d; 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃, 3e; 4-ⁱPrC₆H₄, 3f; 4-FC₆H₄, 3g; 4-CF₃C₆H₄, 3h; 2-FC₆H₄, 3i; 2,6-F₂C₆H₃, 3j; 2-Me-4-FC₆H₃, 3k and 2,6-Me₂-4-FC₆H₂, 3l) and [2,6-(ArNCH)₂C₅H₃N]CoCl₂ (Ar = -C₆H₅, 3m; 2-EtC₆H₄, 3n and 4-ⁱPrC₆H₄, 3o) have been synthesized and characterized. The structures of new complexes 3a, 3f-3h and 3m-3o are further confirmed by X-ray crystallography. All complexes adopt distorted trigonal bipyramidal configuration with the equatorial plane formed by the pyridyl nitrogen atoms and the two chlorine atoms. In the complexes 3m and 3o, three aromatic rings are essentially coplanar, which is in sharp contrast to the other complexes, where three rings are almost orthogonal to each other. With methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst in toluene at room temperature, the complexes show moderate to high conversion (42-99%) in butadiene polymerization, producing polybutadiene with tunable cis-1,4 structure (77.5-97%) and controllable molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. The catalytic activity, selectivity as well as the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the resultant polymer are found to be dependent on the size and nature of substituents on iminoaryl rings and their positions located. By deliberately tuning the ligand structure, more efficient catalyst in terms of high activity and high selectivity can be obtained.     

Synthesis, characterization and application of pincer-type nickel iminophosphinite complexes

Two pincer-type nickel iminophosphinite complexes, [(2-(CHNR)-6-(OPR′₂)C₆H₃)NiCl] (R = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃, R′ = Ph (2a) or ⁱPr (2b)), were synthesized from the reactions of bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)nickel(0) and corresponding iminophosphinite ligands. The solid state structures of the nickel pincer complexes were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction studies. They were successfully employed in the Kumada reaction of non-activated aryl chlorides and phenylmagnesium bromide at room temperature.     

Ruthenium-based bioconjugates: Synthesis and X-ray structure of the mixed ligand sandwich compound RuCp(p-(CO2H)C6H4Tp) and labelling of amino acids and the neuropeptide enkephalin

Four differently substituted mixed ligand sandwich complexes CpRu(p-BrC₆H₄)Tp (3), CpRu(p-BrC₆H₄)Tp^Me (4), Cp^∗Ru(p-BrC₆H₄)Tp (5), Cp^iPrRu(p-BrC₆H₄)Tp (6), incorporating cyclopentadienyl (Cp) and functionalized tris(pyrazolyl)borate (Tp) ligands, have been synthesized and characterized. Air-stable 6 has been converted to benzoic acid-functionalized Cp^iPrRu(p-(CO₂H)C₆H₄)Tp (7), which has been structurally characterized in the solid state by X-ray diffraction. Compound 7 may be readily coupled to biomolecules as exemplified by the coupling to phenylalanine-methylester to give Cp^iPrRu(p-(CO-Phe-OMe)C₆H₄Tp) (8). In a solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), 7 has been coupled to the pentapeptide Enkephalin, to provide Cp^iPrRu(p-(CO-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH)C₆H₄Tp) (9) as the first example of a mixed ligand sandwich ruthenium bioconjugate.     

Synthesis, characterisation and solid state structures of α-diimine cobalt(II) complexes: Ethylene polymerisation tests

A series of cobalt(II) compounds of the type [CoX₂(α-diimine)] were synthesised by direct reaction of anhydrous CoCl₂ or CoI₂ and the corresponding α-diimine ligand, in CH₂Cl₂: [CoI₂(o,o′,p-Me₃C₆H₂-DAB)] (1), [CoI₂(o,o′-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃-DAB)] (2), (where Ar-DAB = 1,4-bis(aryl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene), and [CoCl₂(o,o′,p-Me₃C₆H₂-BIAN)] (3), [CoCl₂(o,o′-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃-BIAN)] (4), and [CoI₂(o,o′-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃-BIAN)] (5) (where Ar-BIAN = bis(aryl)acenaphthenequinonediimine). All compounds were characterised by elemental analyses, IR, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction whenever possible. The crystal structures of compounds 2-4 showed, in all cases, distorted tetrahedral geometries about the Co, built by two halogen atoms and two nitrogen atoms of the α-diimine ligand. Compounds 3 and 4, as well as [CoCl₂(o,o′,p-Me₃C₆H₂-DAB)] (1a), and [CoCl₂(o,o′-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃-DAB)] (2a), were activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO) and tested as catalysts for ethylene polymerisation, showing low catalytic activities. Selected polyethylene (PE) samples were characterised by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies, and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), revealing branching microstructures (2.5-5.5%).     

Synthesis and thermal behavior of dimethyl scandium complexes featuring anilido-phosphinimine ancillary ligands

A family of N,N donor ligands [1-(NHAr)-2-(PR₂NAr′)C₆H₄] (1a-d; Ar = 2,6-ⁱPr₂-C₆H₃, R = Me, Ph, Ar′ = 2,4,6-Me₃-C₆H₂, 2-ⁱPr-C₆H₄, 2,6-ⁱPr₂-C₆H₃) has been prepared and fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Lithiation of the N-H unit and subsequent salt metathesis protocols with ScCl₃THF₃ provides an avenue to organometallic scandium complexes. The resultant base-free monomeric dichlorides LScCl₂, 3a-d, have been fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy as well as X-ray crystallography (3a,c,d). Alkylation of the dichlorides using LiMe results in clean formation of dialkyl complexes LScMe₂4a-c. Thermolysis of these materials under argon and hydrogen leads to decomposition products as a result of C-H activation of the ligand. Analysis of these results provides a qualitative assessment of the metalative resistance of each ligand framework.     

Cationic arene ruthenium complexes containing chelating 1,10-phenanthroline ligands

The monocationic chloro complexes containing chelating 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands [(arene)Ru(N∩N)Cl]⁺ (1: arene = C₆H₆, N∩N = phen; 2: arene = C₆H₆, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 3: arene = p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ, N∩N = phen; 4: arene = p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 5: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = phen; 6: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 7: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = 5-NH₂-phen) have been prepared and characterised as the chloride salts. Hydrolysis of these chloro complexes in aqueous solution gave, upon precipitation of silver chloride, the corresponding dicationic aqua complexes [(arene)Ru(N∩N)(OH₂)]²⁺ (8: arene = C₆H₆, N∩N = phen; 9: arene = C₆H₆, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 10: arene = p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ, N∩N = phen; 11: arene = p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 12: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = phen; 13: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = 5-NO₂-phen; 14: arene = C₆Me₆, N∩N = 5-NH₂-phen), which have been isolated and characterised as the tetrafluoroborate salts. The catalytic potential of the aqua complexes 8-14 for transfer hydrogenation reactions in aqueous solution has been studied: complexes 12 and 14 catalyse the reaction of acetophenone with formic acid to give phenylethanol and carbon dioxide with turnover numbers around 200 (80 °C, 7 h). In the case of 12, it was possible to observe the postulated hydrido complex [(C₆Me₆)Ru(phen)H]⁺ (15) in the reaction with sodium borohydride; 15 has been characterised as the tetrafluoroborate salt, the isolated product [15]BF₄, however, being impure. The molecular structures of [(C₆Me₆)Ru(phen)Cl]⁺ (1) and [(C₆Me₆)Ru(phen)(OH₂)]²⁺ (12) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of [1]Cl and [12](BF₄)₂.     

Click reactions of 2H-azaphosphirene chromium and molybdenum complexes and a surprisingly facile access to a 2H-1,4,2-diazaphosphole derivative

Ring expansion reactions of 2H-azaphosphirene chromium and molybdenum complexes 1a,b with dimethyl cyanamide, triflic acid, and, subsequently at ambient temperature, with triethylamine gave a mixture of the respective 2H-1,4,2-diazaphosphole complex 2a,b and the non-ligated heterocycle 3. If the deprotonation with NEt₃ was carried out at low temperature, the selective formation of complexes 2a,b was observed, which were isolated in excellent yields and fully characterized (including single-crystal X-ray crystallography). Experimental and computational results revealed that the P, Cr and P, Mo bonds of 2H-1,4,2-diazaphosphole complexes are significantly weakened upon N-protonation of the heterocyclic ligand. When mixtures of 1a,b, TfOH, and Me₂NCN were warmed to ambient temperature, the primarily formed N-protonated of 2H-1,4,2-diazaphosphole complexes 4a,b could be observed by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The latter underwent decomplexation to give the N-protonated free ligand 5, which could be isolated and characterized by multinuclear NMR experiments. The neutral non-ligated heterocycle 3 was isolated from a one-pot reaction of 1b with TfOH and Me₂NCN by adding NEt₃ to a solution of intermediately formed 5.     

Synthesis, photophysical and electrophosphorescent properties of mononuclear Pt(II) complexes with arylamine functionalized cyclometalating ligands

Four cyclometalated Pt(II) complexes, i.e., [(L²)PtCl] (1b), [(L³)PtCl] (1c), [(L²)PtCCC₆H₅] (2b) and [(L³)PtCCC₆H₅] (2c) (HL² = 4-[p-(N-butyl-N-phenyl)anilino]-6-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine and HL³ = 4-[p-(N,N′-dibutyl-N′-phenyl)phenylene-diamino]-phenyl-6-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and verified by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and X-ray crystallography. Unlike previously reported complexes [(L¹)PtCl] (1a) and [(L¹)PtCCC₆H₅] (2a) (HL¹ = 4,6-diphenyl-2,2′-bipyridine), intense and continuous absorption bands in the region of 300-500 nm with strong metal-to-ligand charge transfer (¹MLCT) (dπ(Pt) → π^∗(L)) transitions (ε ∼ 2 × 10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹) at 449-467 nm were observed in the UV-Vis absorption spectra of complexes 1b, 1c, 2b and 2c. Meanwhile, with the introduction of electron-donating arylamino groups in the ligands of 1a and 2a, complexes 1b and 2b display stronger phosphorescence in CH₂Cl₂ solutions at room temperature with bathochromically shifted emission maxima at 595 and 600 nm, relatively higher quantum yields of 0.11 and 0.26, and much longer lifetimes of 8.4 and 4.5 μs, respectively. An electrochromic film of 1b-based polymer was obtained on Pt or ITO electrode surface, which suggests an efficient oxidative polymerization behavior. An orange multilayer organic light-emitting diode with 1b as phosphorescent dopant was fabricated, achieving a maximum current efficiency of 11.3 cd A⁻¹ and a maximum external efficiency of 5.7%. The luminescent properties of complexes 1c and 2c are dependent on pH value and solvent polarity, which is attributed to the protonation of arylamino units in the C^N^N cyclometalating ligands.     

Palladacycles bearing pendant benzamidinate ligands as catalysts for the Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions

Three pendant benzamidines [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(CH₂)₂NMe₂}] (1), [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(CH₂Py)}] (2) and [Ph-C(NC₆H₅)-{NH(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}] (3) are described. Reactions of 1, 2 or 3 with one molar equivalent of Pd(OAc)₂ in THF give the palladacyclic complexes [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]Pd(OAc) (4), [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N (CH₂Py)}]Pd(OAc) (5) and [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}]Pd(OAc) (6), respectively. Treatment of 4, 5 or 6 with excess of LiCl in chloroform affords [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂)₂NMe₂}]PdCl (7), [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(CH₂Py)}]PdCl (8) and [Ph-C{-NH(η¹-C₆H₄)}{N(o-C₆H₄)(oxazoline)}]PdCl (9). The crystal and molecular structures are reported for compounds 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7. The application of these palladacyclic complexes to the Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions was examined.     

Solvent-controlled selective synthesis of a trans-configured benzimidazoline-2-ylidene palladium(II) complex and investigations of its Heck-type catalytic activity

Reaction of N,N′-dimethylbenzimidazolyl iodide (A) with Pd(OAc)₂ in DMSO gives selectively trans-bis(N,N′-dimethylbenzimidazoline-2-ylidene) palladium(II) diiodide (trans-2) in 77% yield. The selective formation of the trans-coordination isomer and thus the cis-trans rearrangement is driven by the insolubility of trans-2 in DMSO. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy confirm the trans-geometry of the square planar Pd(II) complex. Catalytic studies show that cis-1 and trans-2 are highly efficient in the Mizoroki-Heck coupling reaction of aryl bromides and activated aryl chlorides both in DMF and [N(n-C₄H₉)₄]Br as ionic liquid. The catalytic activities of Pd(II) complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands derived from benzimidazole are comparable to their imidazole-derived analogues.     

Structural chemistry of mononuclear, tetranuclear and hexanuclear organotin(IV) carboxylates from the reaction of di-n-butyltin oxide or diphenyltin oxide with rhodanine-N-acetic acid

Three new organotin(IV) carboxylates, {[n-Bu₂Sn(O₂CC₄H₄NOS₂)]₂O}₂ (1), n-Bu₂Sn(O₂CC₄H₄NOS₂)₂ (2) and [PhSn(O)O₂CC₄H₄NOS₂]₆ · 3H₂O (3) were synthesized by the reaction of di-n-butyltin/diphenyltin oxide and rhodanine-N-acetic acid. The complexes 1-3 are characterized by elemental, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR and X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses. The complex 1 has a tetranuclear structure based on a planar four-membered Sn₂O₂ ring, while complex 2 is a hexa-coordinated monomer. As for complex 3, it adopts the hexameric drum-shaped structure. The supramolecular structure of 1 has been found to consist of one-dimensional molecular chain built up by intermolecular non-bonded S?O interactions. The salient feature of the supramolecular structure of complex 2 is that of a one-dimensional polymer, in which intermolecular Sn?O, S?O and S?S interactions are recognized.     

Palladium complexes of 8-(di-tert-butylphosphinooxy) quinoline

The preparation of the new ligand 8-(di-tert-butylphosphinooxy)quinoline (1) and the palladium derivatives [PdCl₂(1)] (2), [Pd(η³-all)(1)]⁺ [all = C₃H₅ (3a), 1-PhC₃H₄ (3b) and 1,3-Ph₂C₃H₃ (3c)] and [Pd(η²-ol)(1)] [ol = dimethyl fumarate (4a) and fumaronitrile (4b)] is reported. The cationic species 3a-3c have been isolated as salts. The complex 3a(BF₄) is obtained either from the reaction of 1 with [Pd(μ-Cl)(η³-C₃H₅)]₂ or from the reaction of ClP(CMe₃)₂ with [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)(8-oxyquinoline)], followed in both cases by chloride abstraction with NaBF₄. In the complexes, the ligand 1 is P,N chelated to the central metal, as shown by the X-ray structural analysis of 3a(BF₄). At 25 °C in solution, 3a(BF₄) and 3b(BF₄) undergo a fast η³−η¹−η³ dynamic process which brings about a syn-anti exchange only for the allylic protons cis to phosphorus, while for 4a and 4b a slow rotation of the olefin around its bond axis to palladium takes place. The complexes 2 and 3a(BF₄) are efficient catalyst precursors in the coupling of the phenylboronic acid with aryl bromides and chlorides.