cis-Fashioned palladium (II) complexes of 2-phenylbenzimidazole ligands: Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic behavior towards Suzuki–Miyaura reaction

Reaction of 2-arylbenzimidazole with PdCl2(CH3CN)2 in CH2Cl2 affords benzimidazole palladium (II) complexes in high yields. The structure of complexes C1, C2, and C3 has been confirmed by X-ray structure analysis. The configuration of complexes depends on the substituent on the 2-position of benzimidazole. Phenyl affords the complexes in cis-fashion due to π–π stacking of phenyl and benzimidazole. Tolyl affords the complex in trans-fashion. The catalytic studies show that cis-configured 2-phenylbenzimidazole palladium (II) complexes are highly efficient catalysts in the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction.