Catalytic and stoichiometric C-C bond formation employing palladium compounds with nitrogen ligands

Carbon-carbon bond formation reactions catalyzed by palladium compounds containing bidentate nitrogen ligands is treated, with a focus on rigid ligands such as the bis(imino)acenaphthenes (bian) and bis(imino)phenanthrenes (bip), and ligands with larger bite-angles such as diazafluorenes and derivatives thereof. The emphasis is on recent work in this area by the author, but reference is made to relevant early and recent studies by others. After introducing the topic and the specific nitrogen ligands involved, several stoichiometric and catalytic C-C coupling protocols are treated. These involve intermediate palladium compounds in zero- di- and tetravalent oxidation states, which: have been isolated and identified. Similarities and differences between catalysis by palladium compounds containing bidentate nitrogen ligands and systems containing mono- or bidentate phosphine ligands have been exemplified. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.