Synthesis and structural features of α-acyloxy-(η3-allyl)palladium complexes

α-Acetoxy (η3-allyl)palladium complexes were prepared from acyloxy functionalized allylsilanes under mild conditions and in good isolated yields. The substituent and ligand effects of the acetoxy group on the palladium–allyl bonding were studied by X-ray diffraction. These studies show that the acetoxy group generates a strongly deformed bonding between the metal atom and the allyl moiety. This unsymmetrical bonding is modulated by the σ-donor/π-acceptor properties of the ligands. The 13C NMR studies indicated that the shift values correlate with the carbon–palladium bond lengths and the inductive effects of the acetoxy group.