Ortho-palladated complexes of (Z)-2-aryl-4-arylidene-5(4H)-oxazolones have been prepared through oxidative addition. The reaction of (Z)-2-phenyl-4-(2-bromobenzylidene)-5(4H)-oxazolone (4) with Pd2(dba)3·CHCl3 gives the six-membered cyclopalladated dinuclear complex [Pd(μ-Br)(o-C6H4CH═CNC(O)OCPh)]2 (7). The reaction of 7 with PPh3 gives dinuclear 9, which incorporates one phosphine per Pd atom through cleavage of the Pd−N bond, and preserves the bromide bridging system. However, reaction with PPh2Me gives mononuclear 8, which incorporates two phosphines as a results of the cleavage of the μ-Br system and N displacement. In contrast, the reaction of 7 with pyridine gives complex 12 due to simple cleavage of the Br bridge, leaving the N-bonding intact. Therefore, three different reaction pathways have been characterized. The reactivity of the Pd−C bond in 7 has also been examined, and functionalized oxazolones can be obtained. The reaction of 7 with PhI(OAc)2 in acetic acid gives the starting oxazolone C6H4-2-Br-CH═CNC(O)OCPh (4), through the presumed oxidation of the Pd center and C−Br bond formation by reductive coupling. In contrast, the reaction of the acetate dimer 14 with PhI(OAc)2 in acetic acid gives C6H4-2-OAc-CH═CNC(O)OCPh (20) through C−O coupling. When treatment of 7 with PhI(OAc)2 is performed in MeOH or EtOH, the oxazolones C6H4-2-OR-CH═CNC(O)OCPh (R = Me (18), Et (19)) are obtained. The reaction of 7 with CO in alcohols ROH gives cleanly the oxazolones C6H4-2-CO2R-CH═CNC(O)OCPh (R = Me (21), iPr (22)) through CO migratory insertion into the Pd−C bond and further nucleophilic attack of the RO− fragment.

Funding from CNCSIS 92/2004, PNII Idei 515, and Idei 570 (Romania), the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Projects CTQ2008-01784 and CTQ2007-62245, Spain), and Gobierno de Aragón (PI071-09) is gratefully acknowledged.

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