Preparation and crystal structure of metallated 2,4,6-trimethylaniline imines

In a typical condensation reaction, Schiff Base ligands were synthetized from 2,4,6-trimethylaniline and the appropriate aldehydes. Treatment of the ligands with the corresponding palladium salt provided dinuclear cyclometallated compounds with bridging acetate moieties. The X-ray crystal structure analysis carried out was in agreement with the spectroscopic data. Herein we describe the preparation of the complexes; a brief discussion of the crystal structure is also given. The resulting dinuclear palladacycles are suitable for further ligand-exchange processes.