“Electrophilic attack on ( 1,2-bis (diphenylphosphino)ethane(-(2-norbornanone)-palladium ( II ) chloride”

The protonolysis of the complex [1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane](2-norbornanone)palladium(II) chloride(I) has been studied. Comparison of the 13C NMR spectra of samples of 2-norbornanone obtained by treatment with HCl or DCl, unambiguously reveals that the carbon of the ketone was previously coordinated to the palladium(II). Kinetic results for the electrophilic cleavage of I are also reported. The rate law and the deuterium isotope effect suggest a rate-determining proton transfer to the palladium-carbon σ-bond, which takes place through a symmetrical three-centre transition state.