Carbohydrate-substituted N-heterocyclic carbenes Palladium complexes: High efficiency catalysts for aqueous Suzuki-Miyaura reaction.

Metal complexes that contain carbohydrate-substituent (Carb-) N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) ligand have demonstrated great success as catalysts for organic synthesis reactions. In this study, four new Carb-NHC-Pd complexes 2a-d were prepared and their catalytic activities for Suzuki-Miyaura reaction were evaluated. The Carb-NHC-Pd complex behaved as a general surfactant which leads to the formation of a temporary oil-in-water contact interface, thereby promoting the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction.