Synthesis, structure and palladium coordination of ambiphilic, pyridine- and phosphine-tethered -boryl imine ligands

We describe here the synthesis and structural characterization of two new classes of ambiphilic, N -boryl imine ligands, wherein boron is associated with a Lewis basic imine nitrogen. These ligands can be easily generated in two steps from the corresponding pyridinyl- and phosphinyl-tethered aldehydes. 11 B NMR analysis suggests the association of the Lewis acidic boron to either the pyridine unit or via intermolecular acid/base interactions with the imine. Both of these ligands can coordinate to palladium, and their structures were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. New classes of ambiphilic ligands incorporating N -boryl imines can be generated in two steps from aldehydes, and their structure modulated by the ligand motif.