Solvent-dependent nuclearity, geometry and catalytic activity of [(SPhos)Pd(Ph)Cl]2Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Additional experimental data, copies of NMR and MS spectra, and further comments that are not central to the matter under discussion. See DOI: 10.1039/c7dt01019b

The nuclearity and structures of the palladium complex [(SPhos)Pd(Ph)Cl] 2 in the solid and solution states are revisited using a combination of Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, DFT calculations and trapping experiments. The complex was tested for its catalytic activity in the coupling reaction between chlorobenzene and n -hexylamine, where different deactivation behaviours were observed in toluene, 1,4-dioxane and DMF. The nuclearity and structures of the palladium complex [(SPhos)Pd(Ph)Cl] 2 in the solid and solution states are revisited using a combination of Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, DFT calculations and trapping experiments.