Mechanism of Mechanochemical C−H Bond Activation in an Azobenzene Substrate by Pd^II Catalysts

Abstract

Abstract Mechanism of C−H bond activation by various Pd II catalysts under milling conditions has been studied by in situ Raman spectroscopy. Common Pd II precursors, that is PdCl 2 , [Pd(OAc) 2 ] 3 , PdCl 2 (MeCN) 2 and [Pd(MeCN) 4 ][BF 4 ] 2 , have been employed for the activation of one or two C−H bonds in an unsymmetrical azobenzene substrate. The C−H activation was achieved by all used Pd II precursors and their reactivity increases in the order [Pd(OAc) 2 ] 3 <PdCl 2 (MeCN) 2 <PdCl 2 <[Pd(MeCN) 4 ][BF 4 ] 2 . In situ Raman monitoring in combination with stepwise ex situ NMR, IR and PXRD experiments has provided direct probing of the reaction mechanism and kinetics, and revealed how liquids of different acid‐base properties and proticity as well as selected solids used as additives modify precursors or intermediates and their reactivity. Reaction intermediates that were isolated and structurally characterized agree with the observed species during reaction. In situ Raman spectroscopy has also enabled the derivation of reaction profiles suggesting an electrophilic process which proceeds via a coordination complex (adduct) undergoing deprotonation by a bound or an external base depending on the used Pd II precursor. Slow step of the first palladation for two chloride precursors and [Pd(MeCN) 4 ][BF 4 ] 2 is the C−H bond cleavage whereas palladation using [Pd(OAc) 2 ] 3 depends primarily on breaking of its trimeric structure by the azobenzene substrate and/or liquid additives.