Heck reaction catalyzed by phospha-palladacycles in non-aqueous ionic liquids

Phospha-palladacycles are among the most powerful palladium catalyst systems for the Heck reaction. We have shown the use of non-aqueous ionic liquids (NAILs) as an alternative to traditional molecular solvents for this reaction, with the phospha-palladacycle catalysts resulting in easy product separation, possible catalyst recycling and further increases in catalyst productivity. Preliminary results obtained with bromo- and chloro arenes are presented.