Abstract

Thirty three aryl and aryl alkyl phosphane ligands were prepared and characterized for catalytic purposes. The aryl groups in both types of ligands were modified with alkyl substituents (methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl) or hetero substituents (methoxy, N,N-dimethylaniline, thiomethyl). The alkyl groups directly attached to the phosphorous atom were ethyl, isopropyl or cyclohexyl. Mono- and in some cases also dinuclear palladium (II) complexes of the ligands were prepared and characterized. The syntheses of the palladium complexes are solvent-dependent and afford either mono- or dinuclear complexes depending on the choice of the solvent. Additionally, two 2-mercaptobenzothiazole palladium complexes were synthesized and characterized. A rare distorted lantern-type structure was presented for the first time.

The ligands were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The palladium complexes were characterized by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and elemental analysis. Links between the NMR data of the palladium complexes and ligands and their catalytic activity was screened and correlation found. The crystal structures of the palladium complexes were studied for possible attractive interactions between two ligands. Such interactions were found from two examples. There is an attractive interaction between the phenyl and quinolinyl moieties of 2-quinolinyldiphenyl phosphane. A similar interaction was found between the methyl substitute and phenyl ring of o-tolylphosphane.

The ligands and palladium complexes presented in this thesis were prepared in hope of finding suitable catalysts for Suzuki coupling reactions of various bulky aryl halides and phenyl boronic acids to prepare sterically hindered bi- and triaryls under microwave irradiation. A selection of aryl alkyl phosphane ligands catalyzed the couplings of bulky aryl bromides and even unactivated aryl chlorides efficiently and produced high yields. The reaction conditions of a new catalyst system were optimized, and it was noticed that the addition of a small amount of water enhanced the purity and yield of the coupling products further.