Novel robust benzimidazolylidene palladium complexes: synthesis, structure, and catalytic applications in amination of chloroarenes

A series of novel pyridine stabilized Pd–NHC complexes were developed, which revealed high activities and broad substrates tolerance in the amination of various (hetero)-aryl chlorides. Besides various secondary amines, a wide range of primary anilines and aliphatic amines were also well tolerated. The results highlight us a new strategy to increase catalyst activity in the future catalyst design by alternating the σ-donor property and flexibility of NHC ligands.