3‐Arylcoumarin Scaffolds From 3‐Chlorocoumarin and Arylboronic Acids via Site‐Selective CCl Bond Activation With Palladium Complexes of N∩O Chelating Hydrazones

Using palladium hydrazone complex as a homogeneous catalyst for SMC, we synthesized a library of 15 variant 3‐arylcoumarins. In this context, we report a set of four coordinated palladium(II) hydrazone complexes 1 and 2 having the general formula [Pd(L)(Cl)(PPh 3 )] by reacting the precursor complex [PdCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ] with the hydrazone ligands HL 1 or HL 2 . Single crystal XRD and conventional spectroscopic techniques were employed to characterize both complexes. From the catalytic application point of view, the new complexes 1 and 2 were tested as homogeneous catalysts towards the conversion of 3‐chlorocoumarins into 3‐arylcoumarins by activating the challenging CCl functionality. A minimal catalyst loading of complex 2 (0.01 mol%), afforded a series of 3‐arylcoumarins with a maximum of 92% yield and reusability up to five cycles. The present methodology is simple and easy to carry out at room temperature utilizing a green solvent (ethanol) in an open flask with a spectrum of aryl boronic acids.