isoprene hydroamination catalyzed by palladium xantphos complexes

pd(ii) xantphos or xantphos chalcogenide complexes with general folmula [pdcl₂(x∩x)] (where x = p, o, s or se) were synthesized by the addition of corresponding ligands to [pdcl₂(cod)] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene). prepared complexes [pdcl₂(xantphos)] and [pdcl₂(xantphos = s)] showed distorted square planar geometries, from x-ray crystallographic analysis. all of the prepared complexes showed activity toward intermolecular hydroamination of isoprene with a variety of secondary amines. complete conversion (∼100%) of pyrrolidine was observed using pd–xantphos as catalysts. hydroamination reactions exhibited regioselectivity when crowded secondary amines were used.