Reaction of Molecular Oxygen with a PdII– Hydride To Produce a PdII–Hydroperoxide: Acid Catalysis and Implications for Pd‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation Reactions

A critical step: The reaction of molecular oxygen with a reduced palladium species represents the key step in Pd-catalyzed aerobic oxidation reactions. New PdII–hydride complexes 1 have been prepared which react with molecular oxygen to produce PdII–hydroperoxide adducts 2. Carboxylic acid catalysis of this reaction has important implications for Pd-catalyzed aerobic oxidation reactions.