Regioselective cyclometallation of N-methyl-N-(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine with palladium(II) acetate and catalytic reduction of various functional groups

•Preparation of unsymmetrical, tridentate ligand, N-methyl-N-(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl) ethanamine (1) is described.•Regioselective C–H activation of the naphthyl ring in presence of ortho directing group.•Application of synthesized palladium complex from ligand 1, as excellent catalyst for the hydrogenation of various functional groups.•We also prepared the 2-(2-bromophenyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole and its palladium (II) complex bis-[2-(2-bromophenyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole)PdCl2.