Uridate/pyridyl Pd(II) complexes: Phosphine-free high turnover catalysts for the Heck reaction of deactivated aryl bromides

The synthesis and structure of palladium(II) complexes bearing uridato/pyridyl ligands as an anionic N-donor coordination sites are reported. The complexes have been shown to be highly active catalysts for the Heck reaction of aryl bromides (TON 4.0 104e9.1 104) and moderate activity for the activation of aryl chlorides under phosphine-free conditions.