Original palladium pincer complexes deriving from 1,3-bis(thiophosphinoyl)indene proligands: C(sp3)-H versus C(sp2)-H bond activation

A series of original 2-indenylidene palladium pincer complexes {PdLInd(Ph(2)P==S)(2)]} (L = HNCy(2), PPh(3), Cl(-)) have been prepared by double C-H activation of a 1,3-bis(thiophosphinoyl)indene proligand. Crystallographic analyses and DFT calculations indicate that the bonding situation of the {PdInd(Ph(2)P==S)(2)]} fragment is essentially governed by the conjugated and rigid nature of the dianionic pincer ligand, the nature of the coligand having little influence. The formation of the 2-indenylidene complexes involves either a 2-indenyl pincer or a four-membered cyclometalated complex as an intermediate, suggesting that C(sp(2))-H or C(sp(3))-H bond activation takes place. However, deuterium labelling experiences show that in all cases, C(sp(3))-H bond activation occurs followed eventually by a Pd/H exchange. Nevertheless, evidence for direct C(sp(2))-H bond activation under mild conditions is obtained when a methyl group is introduced at the indene proligand to prevent C(sp(3))-H bond activation. The ensuing dissymmetrical 2-indenyl palladium pincer complex has been fully characterized.