Abstract

A series of Pd - methyl complexes, 1a - 6a, with 11-R-dipyrido[3,2-a: 2′,3′-c]phenazine ligands (dppz-R) being electronically modified with an R sustituent, efficiently catalyze CO/ styrene copolymerization under mild conditions. Increased catalytic activity is observed on increasing the electron-donating character of the remote R substituent in the order R = NO 2 < COOH < Cl < H < CH3 < NH2. © 2008 American Chemical Society.