Pd3-type clusters generated from Pd(OAc)2/nPPh3, formed via a dinuclear Pd(i) species, exhibit high activity in Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling.

Site-selective dihalogenated heteroarene cross-coupling with organometallic reagents usually occurs at the halogen proximal to the heteroatom, enabled by intrinsic relative electrophilicity, particularly in strongly polarized systems. An archetypical example is the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling (SMCC) of 2,4-dibromopyridine with organoboron species, which typically exhibit C2-arylation site-selectivity using mononuclear Pd (pre)­catalysts. Given that Pd speciation, particularly aggregation, is known to lead to the formation of catalytically competent multinuclear Pd n species, the influence of these species on cross-coupling site-selectivity remains largely unknown. Herein, we disclose that multinuclear Pd species, in the form of Pd3-type clusters and nanoparticles, switch arylation site-selectivity from C2 to C4, in 2,4-dibromopyridine cross-couplings with both organoboronic acids (SMCC reactions) and Grignard reagents (Kumada-type reactions). The Pd/ligand ratio and the presence of suitable stabilizing salts were found to be critically important in switching the site-selectivity. More generally, this study provides experimental evidence that aggregated Pd catalyst species not only are catalytically competent but also alter reaction outcomes through changes in product selectivity.

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A range of valuable 1-indanols and 1-indanamines containing a tertiary C1 atom were synthesized by intramolecular palladium(0)-catalyzed C(sp(3))-H arylation, despite unfavorable steric interactions. The efficiency of the reaction was found to correlate with the degree of substitution at C2, as expected from the Thorpe-Ingold effect. Additionally, the nature of the heteroatomic substituent at C1 had a marked influence on the diastereoselectivity at C1 and C2; indeed, 1-indanols and 1-indanamines were obtained with the opposite relative configuration. Analysis of the X-ray and DFT-optimized structures of the corresponding reactive intermediates provided useful insights into the subtle conformational effects induced by these substituents.