Liqin Xue

A DFT study on the Pd-mediated decarboxylation process of aryl carboxylic acids.

Decarboxylation process in a series of PdL(2)X(η(2)-OOCAr(R)) complexes 2OS(R) (L = DMSO; X = OOCCF(3)(-); R = H, OMe, NO(2), Me and CN) with substituent R at an ortho, meta or para position were investigated with the aid of density functional theory calculations. Through our study, we found that the OOCCF(3)(-) ligand is not just a spectator ligand but assists the decarboxylation process. The results indicated that electron-donating substituents have greater promotion effect than electron-withdrawing substituents on the decarboxylation process. An ortho substituent in the substrate ligands OOCAr(R)(-) is normally necessary for a successful decarboxylation. The reason behind this has been explained.

DFT STUDIES ON THE STABILITY OF THE TRANS AND CIS ISOMERS IN THE SQUARE PLANAR PALLADIUM(II) COMPLEXES Pd(I)(PPh3)(η3-XCHC(Ph)CHR) (X = CMe3, CO2Me, P(O)(OMe)2, AND SO2H; R = H, Me)

The relative stability of the trans and cis isomers in the square planar palladium(II) complexes Pd(I)(PPh3)(η3-XCHC(Ph)CHR) (X = H, Me, CMe3, CO2Me, P(O)(OMe)2, and SO2H; R = H, Me) was investigated with the aid of the B3LYP density functional theory calculations. We examined how the substituents X, with different electronic properties, of the η3-allyl ligands affect the relative stability of the trans and cis isomers. Through the investigation, we were able to explain the trans/cis relative stability derived from the experimentally measured trans/cis isomer ratios in the palladium(II) complexes.