Ligand effect on the cationic palladium complexes in polymerization of vinyl ethers

A series of cationic palladium complexes have been used as catalysts on the polymerization of vinyl ethers in excellent yields. The key feature of this study indicates how the ligand donors as well as the cationic nature influence the reactivity of the palladium center in the polymerization of vinyl ethers. It was found that the π-acidic character of imine donors does increase the activity of palladium metal center which catalyzes the cationic polymerization of vinyl ether, whereas the palladium center coordinated with bis-phosphine ligand is completely inactive for the polymerization.