Catalytic Activities of Pd(II), Pd(I) and Pd(O)-diphosphine Complexes for Styrene Oxidation

The catalytic activities of palladium(0,Ⅰ,Ⅱ)-diphosphine complexes were investigated in styrene oxidation using H2O2 as terminal oxidant. The rates showed a dependence on the chelate ring patterns of complexes (PdCl2L); 5-membered ring (L=dppe: 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) < 6-membered ring (L=dppp: 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) < 4-membered ring (L= dppm: bis(diphenylphosphino)methane). This sequence correlates with the ligand field strength and interactions between metal and phosphine ligands. Pd(Ⅱ,Ⅰ)-diphosphine complexes which are capable of making 4-membered chelate ring showed an enhancement of catalytic activities for styrene oxidation. The catalytic activities of Pd(0,Ⅰ,Ⅱ)-diphosphine complexes are described in terms of electronic and steric factors.