[Pd(IPr*)(acac)Cl]: An Easily Synthesized, Bulky Precatalyst for C–N Bond Formation

A very straightforward synthesis of [Pd(IPr*)(acac)Cl] has been developed from commercially available Pd(acac) 2 and the easily prepared IPr*·HCl (acac = acetylacetonate; IPr* = N, N ′-bis(2,6-bis(diphenylmethyl)-4-methylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene). The reactivity of the resulting complex [Pd(IPr*)(acac)Cl] ( 1 ) as a highly active Pd II precatalyst for the Buchwald–Hartwig arylamination coupling has been explored. A wide range of substrates with varying electronic and steric demands of both coupling partners has been screened successfully. The chemoselectivity of the reaction was also explored by using aryl heterodihalides.