Electronic nature of N-heterocyclic carbene ligands: effect on the Suzuki reaction

Suzuki reactions of aryl chlorides and arylboronic acids with a range of electronically different N-heterocyclic carbene ligands derived from N,N-diadamantylbenzimidazolium salts are reported. Results indicate that an electron-rich NHC ligand enhances the rate of oxidative addition. However, reductive elimination is unchanged by the electronic nature of the supporting ligand and is primarily affected by the steric environment.