LAUSR

Abstract A series of non-symmetric Pd(II)-POCOP pincer complexes were synthesized in a facile manner from the commercially available starting material 2′,4′-dihydroxyacetophenone. The preparation of the complexes was carried out in a single step affording the corresponding ketone-functionalized pincer complexes. The molecular structures of two complexes were unambiguously determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. As expected, the metal fragments exhibited a slightly distorted square planar geometry. In addition, the complexes were used as catalysts in Suzuki-Miyaura couplings under microwave irradiation, showing complex 4 to be the best catalyst for a series of para-substituted bromobenzenes.