Cyclopalladation of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylisophthalthioamide

N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylisophthalthioamide (Hmpt) was cyclopalladated with PdCl₂ in hot dimethylsulphoxide to give [PdCl(mpt)]. The structure was determined by X-ray analysis. The thioamide is metallated at C(2) to act as an S528-01C528-02S tridentate anionic ligand. There is appreciable steric repulsion between the benzene ring H(4, 6) and the dimethylamino groups. The hydrogens and the methyl groups mutually deviate from the coordination plane in opposite directions. The stability of the fused 5,5-membered chelate ring formed by the S528-03C528-04S ligand seems to overcome the steric hindrance. Derivatives were prepared by replacement of the chloride ion with iodide, diethyldithiocarbamate, 4-tert-butylpyridine, or tri-n-butylphosphine, and characterized spectroscopically. The S528-05C528-06S-fused chelate ring was maintained in these derivatives.