A novel coordinated complex [(5-nitrophen)Pd(CF3CO2)2] (5-nitrophen = 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline) was first synthesized. By using XPS, IR, and 1H-NMR, its coordination unit was studied in comparison with those of complexes [(N-N)Pd(CH3CO2)2] and [(N-N)Pd(CF3CO2)2]. The H2,9 proton signals of 1H-NMR spectra of the complexes are excellent probes to monitor the evolution of the environment of the palladium atom. The state of anionic coordination was confirmed by the presence of IR absorption peaks of COO in complexes ([(N — N)Pd(CH3CO2)2] and [(N — N)Pd(CF3CO2)2]). Bonding energies of N1s and Pd3d5 obtained from XPS data testified to the strength of the N-Pd coordinating bond. The conclusion can be drawn by analyzing these data from IR, XPS and 1H-NMR that it is the unsymmetrical substitution of the 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) that makes the [(5-nitrophen)Pd(CF3CO2)2] more active. Experimental results showed that [(5-nitrophen)Pd(CF3CO2)2] exhibits much higher activity than [(bipy)Pd(CF3CO2)2] (1,1'- bipyridine = bipy) and [(phen)Pd(CF3CO2)2] under the same conditions.
