Coordination complexes of PIII-doped heterobuckybowls and their applications in catalysis†

Abstract

Doping the π-frameworks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with main-group elements is a powerful strategy to manipulate optoelectronic properties. Herein, the benzylic carbons of π-bowl sumanene are replaced with chalcogens (S, Se, and Te) and trivalent phosphorus (P^III), affording a series of P^III-doped heterosumanenes (). The lone-pair electrons of the P^III-dopant endow these with pronounced affinity toward transition metals (Au⁺, Pt²⁺, and Pd²⁺). Accordingly, nine coordination complexes were synthesized to exhibit diverse coordination patterns contingent upon the metal ions and chalcogen atoms on . For the first time, we proved that the Pd²⁺ complexes of these are promising catalysts for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction of aryl chlorides.