Palladium hydride complexes

Abstract

The stable colourless crystalline complex, (Et₃P)₂Pd(H)Cl is obtained by the reduction of (Et₃P)₂PdCl₂ with trimethylgermane at 40°. Reduction of (Et₃P)₂PdBr₂ is slow unless palladium black is added. The analogous reaction with (Et₃P)₂NiBr₂ gives a highly unstable nickel hydride complex. The reactions are considered to follow a radical chain mechanism.

The reactions of (Et₃P)₂Pd(H)Cl with the following are reported: Kl, HCl–Et₂O, NH₃–H₂O, CCl₄, MeSH–KCN, and MeOH–KCN. Unsaturated compounds (CH₂:CHCN, PhC⋮CH, C₂F₄, C₄H₆) also react with it to give a complexity of products.