Cyclometallation reactions of N-(benzylidene)benzylamines with palladium compounds

The cyclometallation of p-RC₆H₄CHNCH₂C₆H₂, (R = H, Cl, NO₂) by PdX₂ (X = Cl, AcO) has been studied.In every case the cyclometallation occurs with formation of a five-membered ring containing the methine group. The structure of these compounds $\text{PdX(}\text{p}\text{-RC}{}_6\text{H}{}_3\text{CHN}$CH₂C₆H₅)]₂, derived from ¹H NMR spectra, are different from those reported previously. Reaction of these compounds with PEt₃ gives the compounds PdX(p-RC₆H₃CHNCH₂C₆H₅)(PEt₃)₂] but with an excess of PPh₃ only the complexes $\text{PdX(}\text{p}\text{-RC}{}_6\text{H}{}_3\text{CHN}$CH₂C₆H₅)(PPh₃)] are formed.