EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, sa.10, ss.1382-1391, 2017 (SCI-Expanded)
Six benzimidazolium salts, having two nitrogen atoms substituted by various alkyl groups, have been synthesized in high yields. The benzimidazolium salts readily converted into the corresponding PEPPSI-type palladium-NHC complexes (PEPPSI = pyridine-enhanced precatalyst preparation, stabilization, and initiation). The structures of all compounds have been characterized by H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, and IR spectroscopy, as well as elemental analysis techniques, which support the proposed structures. The molecular structure of one complex has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The catalytic activity of the PEPPSI-type palladium-NHC complexes has been evaluated with respect to the direct C5-arylation of 2-substituted thiophene derivatives with various aryl halides. This arylation occurs efficiently and selectively at the C5-position of 2-substituted thiophene derivatives.