This work began with the synthesis and full characterization of a novel £^-diimine ligand, (2,6-iPr2C6H3N=CH)2C6H4, from the reaction of o-phthaladehyde and the bulky aniline, 2,6-diisopropylaniline. It was observed that any <i>di-ortho</i>-substituted aniline with less bulky groups than isopropyl groups resulted in formation of the corresponding iminisoindolines. Reaction of the £^-diimine ligand with PdCl2 did not result in a seven-membered coordination complex, but in non-palladacyclic complex, [(g-diimine)PdCl(Ý-Cl)]2. Whereas reaction with Pd(OAc)2 gave an S-shaped five-membered trinuclear palladacyclic complex, {1,2-(2,6-iPr2-C6H3N=CH)2-C6H3]Pd(Ý-OAc)2}2Pd. These complexes were found to be active precatalysts for Heck and Suzuki coupling reaction giving TONs of up to 104 and 86, for arylbromides and arylchlorides, respectively.<p> On the other hand, a series of neutral and cationic seven-membered aluminum coordination complexes were obtained from the reaction of £^-diimine with a variety of aluminum species (AlMe3, AlMe2Cl, AlMeCl2 and AlCl3). The synthesis and characterization of these complexes are exemplified.<p> Also illustrated in this thesis is the synthesis and characterization of a series of air- and moisture-stable iminoisoindoline-based palladacyclic compounds of the general formula, [(iminoisoindoline)Pd{Ý-OAc}]2. These six-membered palladacyclic complexes were obtained through a simple two-step protocol as analytically pure solids. Phosphine-ligated mononuclear palladacycles of the general formula, [Pd(iminoisoindoline)X(PR3)], X= OAc or Cl, R = Ph or Cy, are also described. Dinuclear palladacycles were also found to be active for the Heck and Suzuki C-C coupling reactions. TONs of up to 106, 105 and 60 were observed for coupling of iodobenzene, <i>p</i>-acetylbromobenzene and <i>p</i>-chlorobenzaldehyde, respectively in the Heck coupling reaction.

This work began with the synthesis and full characterization of a novel £^-diimine ligand, (2,6-iPr2C6H3N=CH)2C6H4, from the reaction of o-phthaladehyde and the bulky aniline, 2,6-diisopropylaniline. It was observed that any <i>di-ortho</i>-substituted aniline with less bulky groups than isopropyl groups resulted in formation of the corresponding iminisoindolines. Reaction of the £^-diimine ligand with PdCl2 did not result in a seven-membered coordination complex, but in non-palladacyclic complex, [(g-diimine)PdCl(Ý-Cl)]2. Whereas reaction with Pd(OAc)2 gave an S-shaped five-membered trinuclear palladacyclic complex, {1,2-(2,6-iPr2-C6H3N=CH)2-C6H3]Pd(Ý-OAc)2}2Pd. These complexes were found to be active precatalysts for Heck and Suzuki coupling reaction giving TONs of up to 104 and 86, for arylbromides and arylchlorides, respectively.<p> On the other hand, a series of neutral and cationic seven-membered aluminum coordination complexes were obtained from the reaction of £^-diimine with a variety of aluminum species (AlMe3, AlMe2Cl, AlMeCl2 and AlCl3). The synthesis and characterization of these complexes are exemplified.<p> Also illustrated in this thesis is the synthesis and characterization of a series of air- and moisture-stable iminoisoindoline-based palladacyclic compounds of the general formula, [(iminoisoindoline)Pd{Ý-OAc}]2. These six-membered palladacyclic complexes were obtained through a simple two-step protocol as analytically pure solids. Phosphine-ligated mononuclear palladacycles of the general formula, [Pd(iminoisoindoline)X(PR3)], X= OAc or Cl, R = Ph or Cy, are also described. Dinuclear palladacycles were also found to be active for the Heck and Suzuki C-C coupling reactions. TONs of up to 106, 105 and 60 were observed for coupling of iodobenzene, <i>p</i>-acetylbromobenzene and <i>p</i>-chlorobenzaldehyde, respectively in the Heck coupling reaction.