Phosphinite- and phosphite-based Type I palladacycles as highly active catalysts for addition reactions of arylboronic acids with aldehydes, α,β-unsaturated ketones, α-ketoesters, and aldimines.

Phosphinite- and phosphite-based Type I palladacycle-catalyzed additions of arylboronic acids with aldehydes, α,β-unsaturated ketones, α-ketoesters and aldimines are described. Our study showed that readily available phosphinite- and phosphite-based Type I palladacycles could possess higher catalytic activity than phosphine-based palladacycles and were highly active, practical catalysts. Our study may pave the road for development of optically active phosphinite- and phosphite-based palladacycles for asymmetric catalysis.