Cyclopalladation of NN′ donor ligands: unusual dinuclear complexes and their solution behaviour

The synthesis of new cyclopalladated compounds by reaction between palladium acetate and the potentially tridentate imines 4-ClC6H4CHN(CH2)nNMe2 (n=2,3) in acetic acid is described. The experimental data suggest a dinuclear structure for the complexes, with a bridging CNN′ ligand. 1H NMR spectra of these complexes in CD3COOD solution, indicate the existence of three different species in equilibrium.