Tuning the regioselectivity of (benzimidazolylmethyl)amine palladium(II) complexes in the methoxycarbonylation of hexenes and octenes

Reactions of N-(1H-benzoimidazol-2-ylmethyl-2-methoxy)aniline (L1) and N-(1H-benzoimidazol-2-ylmethyl-2-bromo)aniline (L2) with p-TsOH, Pd(AOc)₂ and two equivalents of PPh₃ or PCy₃ produced the corresponding palladium complexes, Pd(L1)(OTs)(PPh₃)] (1), Pd(L2)(OTs)(PPh₃)] (2) and Pd(L1)(OTs)(PCy₃)] (3), respectively, in good yields. The new palladium complexes 1–3 and the previously reported complexes Pd(L1)ClMe] (4) and Pd(L2)ClMe] (5) gave active catalysts in the methoxycarbonylation of terminal and internal olefins to produce branched and linear esters. The effects of complex structure, nature of phosphine derivative, acid promoter and alkene substrate on the catalytic activities and selectivity have been studied and are herein reported.