Direct Cyclopalladation of Fluorinated Benzyl Amines by Pd3(OAc)6: The Coexistence of Multinuclear Pdn Reaction Pathways Highlights the Importance of Pd Speciation in C-H Bond Activation

Palladacycles are key intermediates in catalytic C–H bond functionalization reactions and important precatalysts for cross-couplings. It is commonly believed that palladacycle formation occurs through the reaction of a substrate bearing a C–H bond ortho to a suitable metal-directing group for interaction with, typically, mononuclear “Pd(OAc) 2 ” species, with cyclopalladation liberating acetic acid as the side product. In this study, we show that N , N -dimethyl-fluoro-benzyl amines, which can be cyclopalladated either ortho or para to fluorine affording two regioisomeric products, can occur by a direct reaction of Pd 3 (OAc) 6 , proceeding via higher-order cyclopalladated intermediates. Regioselectivity is altered subtly depending on the ratio of substrate:Pd 3 (OAc) 6 and the solvent used. Our findings are important when considering mechanisms of Pd-mediated reactions involving the intermediacy of palladacycles, of particular relevance in catalytic C–H bond functionalization chemistry.