Solution and solid-state structures of the binuclear zerovalent palladium complex [(dippe)Pd](2)(mu-dippe) (dippe=1,2-bis(diisopropylphosphino)ethane)

The reaction of PdCl2(dippe), where dippe = 1,2-bis(diisopropylphosphino)ethane, with 2 equiv of KBEt(3)H in toluene generates the binuclear palladium(0) derivative [(dippe)Pd](2)(mu-dippe) (4) in 35% yield; alternatively, the reaction of [(eta(3)-C4H7)Pd](2)(mu-Cl)(2) with MeONa in the presence of 3 equiv of dippe generates 4 as well. Mechanistic studies on the attempted formation of mixed binuclear complexes are reported as well as the use of 4 as a catalyst for the reductive dechlorination of chloroarenes. Analysis of the second-order [AB(2)](2) spin system was accomplished by iteration of the 202.47 MHz P-31{H-1} NMR spectrum of 4; the solution structure and the solid-state structures are found to be very nearly identical.