Synthesis of chlorinated biphenyls by Suzuki cross-coupling using diamine or diimine-palladium complexes

Several novel diimines (Salen-type ligands) 2a-2i and their reduced diamine counterparts 3b,3d-3g and 3i form complexes 4a-4i, 5b,5d-5g, and 5i with PdCl₂ in DMF or methanol. Using 1 mol-% of the isolated complexes 4e and 5f many polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can be prepared in moderate to excellent yields according to the Suzuki cross-coupling protocol with contact to air. Several 4-acetylbiphenyls prepared by this method can be converted in moderate yields into the corresponding biphenylcarboxylic acids (BCAs) by alkaline cleavage. An X-ray crystal structure determination confirms the structure of complex 5f.