[Pd(IPr*)(acac)Cl]: An Easily Synthesized, Bulky Precatalyst for C–N Bond Formation

A very straightforward synthesis of [Pd­(IPr*)­(acac)­Cl] has been developed from commercially available Pd­(acac)2 and the easily prepared IPr*·HCl (acac = acetylacetonate; IPr* = N,N′-bis­(2,6-bis­(diphenylmethyl)-4-methylphenyl)­imidazol-2-ylidene). The reactivity of the resulting complex [Pd­(IPr*)­(acac)­Cl] (1) as a highly active PdII precatalyst for the Buchwald–Hartwig arylamination coupling has been explored. A wide range of substrates with varying electronic and steric demands of both coupling partners has been screened successfully. The chemoselectivity of the reaction was also explored by using aryl heterodihalides.