Benzyloxycalix[8]arene: a new valuable support for NHC palladium complexes in C-C Suzuki-Miyaura couplings.

Benzyloxycalix[8]arene supported catalysts bearing N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes on each subunit were readily synthesized. Intermediates and catalysts were fully characterized, allowing for a fine control of their structure. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of a calix[8]arene bearing eight well-defined NHC palladium complexes.

Experimental and Theoretical Quantification of the Lewis Acidity of Iodine(III) Species.

The role of hypervalent iodine reagents as oxidants has been widely recognized for more than 20 years. As electrophilic species, they could also play the role of Lewis acids. While not surprising, this aspect of these reagents has not been fully considered and exploited in the literature.