Improving the Thermodynamic Profiles of Potential Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling Catalysts by Altering the Electrophilic Coupling Component

As a heavily used technique for forming new C-C bonds, developing new catalysts and reaction conditions for Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions is desirable. Here, using volcano plots, the influence of the electrophilic coupling component in catalytic cycle thermodynamics is revealed. Less reactive electrophiles, such as iodine, broaden the volcano plateau resulting in more catalysts having “ideally balanced” thermodynamic profiles, than, for example, fluorine. This may represent an appealing strategy for developing new cross-coupling catalytic systems.