Na2[Pd(saccharinate)4]: a new phosphine-free water-soluble catalyst with singular structure for modification of ribose nucleosides at room temperature

The easy synthesis of the anionic palladium catalyst containing saccharinate as only ligand Na2[Pd(saccharinate)4] (I), starting from either Na2[PdCl4] or Pd(AcO)2, is reported here, together with its complete characterization. It includes high resolution powder X-ray diffraction pattern obtained on a synchrotron source, subsequent elucidation of the crystal structure, and structural refinement using the Rietveld method. The structure consists of linear chains that are linked by non-covalent interactions, and results in a porous structure with channels. This air and light water-soluble complex has shown an outstanding performance for room temperature Pd-catalyzed Suzuki functionalization of the purine base in unprotected nucleosides, improving the best results reported to date.