Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative coupling of iodobenzene derivatives in aqueous media

The aim of this study is to synthesize prochiral diarylketones by way of palladium catalysed carbonylation reaction. Within this scope, [Pd(1-MI)2Cl2] and [Pd(1-BI)2Cl2] complexes were synthesized with 1-methylimidazole (1-MI) and 1-butylimidazole (1-BI) ligands containing N donor atom. The structures of the synthesized complexes were characterized by 13C, 1H NMR and elemental analyzers. The characterized complexes were then tested in the carbonylative Suzuki reaction as a catalyst. A model reaction was generated in order to determine the most favorable conditions for the reaction. As a result of the tests made in the model reaction water was defined as the most suitable solvent. The carbonylation reactions were carried out in aqueous media under the pressure of 1 atmosphere with iodobenzene derivatives and different phenylboronic acids. Diarylketones which are widely used in the synthesis of biologically active molecules were attained in good yields in aqueous media and high pressure was not required for the process.