The Pd(4)(dppm)(4)(H)(2)(2+) cluster: a precatalyst for the homogeneous hydrogenation of alkynes

The catalytic properties of the title cluster toward the homogeneous hydrogenation of phenylacetylene, diphenylethyne and phenyl-1-propyne have been investigated as a function of temperature, pressure, solvents, substrate and cluster concentrations, and counterions. The title cluster is a precatalyst that exhibits a good catalytic activity under mild conditions (1 atm of H(2) at 20 degrees C) for the hydrogenation of alkynes and alkenes. For the alkyne substrates, the turnover frequencies (tof's) range between 200 and 500 h(-)(1), and the product distribution varies as: cis-products, 75-90%; trans-products; 0-8% after 3 h of reaction. Based on the graphs -d[substrate]/dt vs [Pd(4)](1/2), the mechanism indicates a cluster dissociation into two dimers (presumably of the type Pd(2)(dppm)(2)(H)(solvent)(+)). The variations of tof (or -d[substrate]/dt) as a function of [substrate] and pressure of H(2) are linear. At 1600 psi of H(2), the tof can reach 2500-3000 h(-)(1) (in THF). The tof also increases with temperature reaching a maximum at approximately 35 degrees C (tof: 1000-1300 h(-)(1)), but at higher temperatures cluster decomposition begins to occur, leading to a rapid decrease in rates of catalysis. At 50 degrees C, no catalysis is observed. The hydrogenation reaction can be stopped at the corresponding cis-alkenes with approximately 95% yields, depending on the substrate and experimental conditions used. The tof's also vary with the solvent, where stronger coordinating solvent molecules give higher tof's. In addition, the tof's do not change with the nature of the counterion, which acts as "spectator" in the catalysis.