Simple thiazole-based ligands for palladium(II) Suzuki-Miyaura aryl cross-coupling catalysts

Two new palladium(II) catalysts, each containing a phenylthiazole ligand (2-methyl- (1a) and 2-amino-4-phenyl-1,3-thiazole (1b)), are prepared and characterized. The crystal structure of one, 2-methyl-4-phenyl)palladium(II) acetate (3a), is presented; it crystallizes as a dimer, with the ligand attached through the nitrogen on the thiazole and the ortho-carbon on the phenyl ring. The organometallic compounds can be used as catalysts in Suzuki–Miyaura aryl cross-coupling reactions. They are compatible with a wide range of functional groups, including carbonyls, amines, and phenols.