Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling of Amides by N-C Cleavage Mediated by Air-Stable, Well-Defined [Pd(NHC)(sulfide)Cl₂] Catalysts: Reaction Development, Scope, and Mechanism

The Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of amides by selective N-C acyl bond cleavage represents a powerful tool for constructing biaryl ketones from historically inert amide bonds. These amide bond activation reactions hinge upon efficient oxidative addition of the N-C acyl bond to Pd(0). However, in contrast to the well-researched activation of aryl halides by C(sp²)-X oxidative addition, very few studies on the mechanism of C(acyl)-N bond oxidative addition and catalyst effect have been reported. Herein, we report a study on [Pd(NHC)(sulfide)Cl₂] catalysts in amide N-C bond activation. These readily prepared, well-defined, air- and moisture-stable Pd(II)-NHC catalysts feature SMe₂ (DMS = dimethylsulfide) or S(CH₂CH₂)₂ (THT = tetrahydrothiophene) as ancillary ligands. The reaction development, kinetic studies, and reaction scope are presented. Extensive DFT studies were conducted to gain insight into the mechanism of C(acyl)-N bond oxidative addition and catalyst activation. We expect that [Pd(NHC)(sulfide)Cl₂] precatalysts featuring sulfides as well-defined, readily accessible ancillary ligands will find application in C(acyl)-X bond activation in organic synthesis and catalysis.