Kryptofix 5 as an inexpensive and efficient ligand for the palladium‐catalyzed Mizoroki‐Heck reaction

A novel complex of PdCl₂ with a multidentate cryptand ligand, Kryptofix 5, has been prepared and characterized by various techniques including ¹H‐ and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), Raman, ultraviolet and visible (UV‐VIS) spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), CHN elemental and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX). This heat‐ and air‐stable complex was utilized as a highly active catalyst for the Mizoroki‐Heck reaction of aryl halides with various olefins. Interestingly, it was found that aryl bromides as well as aryl iodides were efficiently cross‐coupled with terminal alkenes at 130 °C in 10 min. Furthermore, the least reactive aryl chlorides reacted with styrene to obtain the desired products in acceptable yields.