The new complexes (1–3) were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods and the molecular structure of 1a was determined by X-ray diffraction studies. These complexes were applied in the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of phenylboronic acid with aryl halides in neat water. The activities of catalysts were monitored by gas chromatography–flame ionization detector and nuclear magnetic resonance. Whereas the complexes with DEA or 3-PCA ligands did not show significant difference in the activity, the BIAN-IPr complexes 1b and 3b bearing DEA and 3-PCA, displayed the highest catalytic activity at 100◦C. |
