Research line

The cyclopalladation reaction of imines, primary amines and aminoacid esters is studied. A special attention is given to the following subjects: i) the control of the selectivity of the cyclopalladation reaction, ii) the reactivity of the Pd-X (X = acetate or halide) and Pd-N bonds in front of Lewis bases (pyridines, amines, phosphines, ...), iii) the reactivity of the Pd-C bonds in front of the D⁺ cation and unsaturated molecules (carbon monoxide, organic isocyanides, alkynes, ...) and iv) the selective oxidation of Pd(0) to Pd(II) and of the Pd(II) centre of cyclopalladated compounds to Pd(III) or Pd(IV) oxidation states. The aim of these studies is to develop i) new catalytic processes for the functionalization of C-H bonds based on intramolecular C-H bond activations by palladium(II) compounds and ii) the applications of cyclopalladated imines, aminoacid esters and primary amines in organic chemistry, catalysis and medicinal chemistry. The cycloplatination reaction of imines and primary amines, and the reactivity of the corresponding cycloplatinated compounds and their applications in medicinal chemistry are also studied. Recently, a research line has been initiated devoted to the synthesis of Ru(II) and Pd(II) cyclometallated compounds derived from imines and their plausible applications as precatalysts of hydrogen transfer and C-C coupling reactions, respectively.