Palladium PEPPSI-IPr Complex Supported on a Calix[8]arene: A New Catalyst for Efficient Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling of Aryl Chlorides

We report here the synthesis and characterization of a new calix[8]arene-supported PEPPSI-IPr Pd polymetallic complex. This complex, showing greater steric hindrance around the Pd centers compared with previous calix[8]arene-based catalysts, demonstrated high reactivity and selectivity for the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of aryl chlorides under mild conditions. Along with this good performance, the new catalyst showed low Pd leaching into the final Suzuki-Miyaura coupling products, indicative of a heterogeneous-type reactivity. This rare combination of good reactivity towards challenging substrates and low metal leaching offers great promise at both academic and industrial levels.