Comparative Study of Catalytic Systems Formed by Palladium and Acyl-Substituted Imidazolium Salts

Abstract

Amino amides, which are readily accessible from amino acids, were used in the preparation of both monoamido and diamido functionalized imidazolium salts in very straightforward protocols. Different catalytic systems formed with palladium(II) acetate and acyl functionalized imidazolium salts were tested in the Matsuda-Heck reaction. The comparative study revealed that the presence of one carbamoyl moiety in the N-heterocyclic carbene precursor is more beneficial during the catalytic process. Thus, better activity was observed with the catalytic system formed using 3-benzyl-1-(N-phenylcarbamoylmethyl)imidazolium chloride in a 1:1 metal/ligand ratio. Moreover, this fact was evidenced by means of UV/vis studies.