Intramolecular hydrogen bonding stabilizes trans-configuration in a mixed carbene/isocyanide PdII complexes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.jorganchem.2020.121174

Aromatic amidines 1a-e undergo facile reaction with one isocyanide in PdCl₂(CNBu^t)₂ giving carbene complexes 2b-d (Scheme 2) in high isolated yields (79–95%). The structures of 2b–d were confirmed by the ¹H and

Full text of DOI:10.1016/j.jorganchem.2020.121174

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Intramolecular hydrogen bonding stabilizes trans-configuration in a mixed carbene/
II
isocyanide Pd complexes
Vladimir N. Mikhaylov, Viktor N. Sorokoumov, Alexander S. Novikov, Maria V. Melnik,
Alexander G. Tskhovrebov, Irina A. Balova
PII:
S0022-328X(20)30075-9
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jorganchem.2020.121174
JOM 121174
Reference:
To appear in: Journal of Organometallic Chemistry
Received Date: 9 January 2020
Revised Date: 6 February 2020
Accepted Date: 7 February 2020
Please cite this article as: V.N. Mikhaylov, V.N. Sorokoumov, A.S. Novikov, M.V. Melnik, A.G.
Tskhovrebov, I.A. Balova, Intramolecular hydrogen bonding stabilizes trans-configuration in a
II
mixed carbene/isocyanide Pd complexes, Journal of Organometallic Chemistry (2020), doi: https://
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Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding Stabilizes Trans-
Configuration in a Mixed Carbene/Isocyanide PdII Complexes
Vladimir N. Mikhaylov,a Viktor N. Sorokoumov,a Alexander S. Novikov,a Maria V. Melnik,a
Alexander G. Tskhovrebov,b,c* and Irina A. Balovaa*
a) Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Nab. 7/9, 199034 Saint Petersburg,
Russian Federation
b) N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of
Sciences, Ul. Kosygina 4, Moscow, Russian Federation
c) Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, Moscow, 117198,
Russian Federation
Abstract
Aromatic amidines 1a-e undergo facile reaction with one isocyanide in PdCl2(CNBut)2 giving
carbene complexes 2b-d (Scheme 2) in high isolated yields (79–95%). The structures of 2b–d
1
were confirmed by the H and 13C NMR spectroscopies, high resolution electrospray
ionization mass spectrometry (HRESI-MS), IR, the elemental analyses (C, H, N), and X-ray
diffraction analysis for 2c, which revealed that the carbene and unreacted isocyanide ligands
were located in a mutually trans position. Such arrangement was unexpected since it did not
fit trans effect rule. Stabilization of the unfavorable isomer was rationalized by intramolecular
hydrogen bonding. The nature of the intramolecular non-covalent interactions, which were
responsible for the stabilization of the trans-isomer, was studied theoretically using DFT
calculations and topological analysis of the electron density distribution within the framework
of Bader's theory (QTAIM method).

Keywords
Carbenes, palladium complexes, isocyanides, amidines, hydrogen bonding.
Introduction
The Pd-catalyzed C–C and C–N coupling reactions have recently emerged as an indispensable
tool in the organic synthesis.[1–3] Modern preparative methods heavily rely on the Suzuki–
Miyaura, Sonogashira and Mizoroki–Heck and other cross-coupling processes.[4] In the last
decades a research in the area of the Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions experienced an explosive
growth which resulted in the development on the numerous well-defined catalysts. Among
these systems the phosphine and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes appeared to be
among the most promising ones.[5–7] Although these systems proved to be highly efficient,
they still possess several disadvantages. Homogeneity of the aforementioned catalysts does
not allow a facile catalyst recovery and, consequently, their application in the industrial
environment.
We have recently demonstrated that the palladium-mediated coupling between nucleophile-
supported Merrifield resin and coordinated isocyanides is an efficient strategy for the
expedient synthesis of the structurally elaborated acyclic diaminocarbene palladium (ADC-
Pd) complexes.[8] This methodology allows a facile synthesis of the ADC-Pd complexes with
easily tunable sterical and electronic parameters. Synthesis of relevant protic NHC complexes
was described in excellent reviews by Hahn.[9,10]
1

In the course of our systematic studies on the synthesis of the new Pd-carbene complexes via
nucleophilic coupling between the coordinated isocyanides and N-nucleophiles we found that
the addition of various aromatic amidines to the Pd-bound isocyanide in PdCl2(CNBut)2
results in the formation of trans-PdCl(CNBut)(ADC) complexes.[11–15] At the first glance
this seemed counterintuitive since it did not fit the classic Chernyaevs’ trans effect theory.[16]
Our investigation demonstrated that the unfavorable trans-isomer is stabilized by the
intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Herein, we describe a facile synthesis of the Pd-complexes
bearing chelate carbene ligand via amidine-isocyanide coupling and discuss unusual
intramolecular hydrogen bond-stabilized mixed isocyanide carbene complexes.
Experimental Part
General remarks. GC analyses was performed on a Kristall 5000.2 instrument (Chromatec)
with a flame ionization detector (FID) (column: Macherey-Nagel MN OptiMA-1 25 mx 0.32
mm 0.35 mkm). Infrared spectra (4000−200 cm−1) were recorded on a Bruker Tensor 27
instrument as KBr pellets. NMR spectra were recorded at ambient temperature with a Bruker
400 WB Avance spectrometer (Bruker Ltd.) at 400.13 (1H) and 100.61 (13C) MHz. Chemical
shifts (δ) are given in ppm relative to the resonances of solvents (1H, δ 7.26 for CDCl3; 13C, δ
77.16 for CDCl3). Coupling constants (J) are given in Hz. Multiplicities of signals are
described as follows: s = singlet, d = doublet, t = triplet, m = multiplet. Unless stated
otherwise, all commercially available compounds (Alfa Aesar, Aldrich, TCI, Strem
Chemicals) were used as received.
Computational details. The Hirshfeld molecular surface for the X-ray structure of 2c was
generated using the CrystalExplorer program (version 17.5).[17] The normalized contact
distances, dnorm,[18] based on Bondi’s van der Waals radii,[19] were mapped into the
2

Hirshfeld surface. In the color scale, negative values of dnorm are visualized by the red color
indicating contacts shorter than the sum of van der Waals radii. The white color denotes
intermolecular distances close to van der Waals contacts with dnorm equal to zero. In turn,
contacts longer than the sum of van der Waals radii with positive dnorm values are colored with
blue.
The full geometry optimization of all model structures has been carried out at the DFT level
of theory using the M06 functional[20] with the help of Gaussian-09 program package.[21]
The calculations were carried out using the quasi-relativistic energy-consistent
pseudopotentials of the Stuttgart/Cologne group that described 28 core electrons and the
appropriate contracted basis sets[22] for palladium atoms (MWB28) and the standard 6-
31G(d) basis sets for other atoms. No symmetry restrictions have been applied during the
geometry optimization procedure. The Hessian matrices were calculated analytically in all
cases to prove the location of correct minima on the potential energy surfaces (no imaginary
frequencies) and to estimate the thermodynamic parameters, the latter being calculated at 25
°C (Table S8). The topological analysis of the electron density distribution with the help of
the “atoms in molecules” (QTAIM) method[23] has been performed by using the Multiwfn
program (version 3.6).[24] The Cartesian atomic coordinates for optimized equilibrium
geometries of model structures are presented in Table S9.
3

Synthetic part.
General procedure for the synthesis of N-substituted amidines.
Scheme 1. Synthesis of amidines.
Amidines were synthesized according to slightly modified literature procedures
(Scheme 1).[25–27] Aniline (6.0 mmol, 1.20 eq) and a corresponding nitrile (5.0 mmol, 1
eq) were stirred for 15 min at room temperature in the pressure tube (75 mL). Further,
AlCl3 (5.0 mmol, 1.00 eq) was added in one portion, the tube was sealed, and the mixture
was stirred at 140 °C for 15 h. Cold water (50 mL) was added. To the formed suspension,
concentrated solution of NaOH was added till pH reached 14 (pH was controlled using a
universal paper indicator). The aqueous layer was extracted with CHCl3 (3×30 mL). The
combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced
pressure. The residue was purified by double recrystallization from hexane or a mixture of
hexane/ethyl acetate or using preparative column chromatography. Analytical data were in
excellent agreement with the previously reported.
4

1a. Aniline (6.0 mmol, 560 mg), benzonitrile (5.0 mmol, 516 mg) were used. Yield: 707
mg (72%). The compound was purified by the double recrystallization from hexane/ethyl
acetate.
1b. Aniline (6.0 mmol, 560 mg), acetonitrile (5.0 mmol, 205 mg) were used. Yield: 235
mg (35%). The compound was purified by the double recrystallization from hexane/ethyl
acetate.
1c. Aniline (6.0 mmol, 560 mg), 4-methoxybenzonitrile (5.0 mmol, 666 mg) were used.
Yield: 238 mg (21%). The compound was purified by the double recrystallization from
hexane/ethyl acetate.
1d. 2-Isopropylaniline (6.0 mmol, 751 mg), benzonitrile (5.0 mmol, 516 mg) were used.
Yield: 822 mg (69%). The compound was purified by the double recrystallization from
hexane/ethyl acetate.
1e. Aniline (6.0 mmol, 560 mg), pivalonitrile (5.0 mmol, 415 mg) were used. Yield: 388
mg (44%). The compound was purified by the recrystallization from hexane.
1f. p-Anisidine (6.0 mmol, 780 mg), pivalonitrile (5.0 mmol, 416 mg) were used. Yield:
371 mg (36%). The compound was purified by column chromatography with hexane/ethyl
acetate (1:10) as an eluent.
General procedure for the synthesis of ADC-PdII complexes.
PdCl2(CNBut)2 (2) (0.1 mmol, 34 mg), corresponding amidine (1a-f) (0.1 mmol)
and Et3N (1 mmol, 101 mg) were dissolved in 2 mL of THF and stirred for 6 h for 2a, 2c–
2f or 2 h for 2b. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0 °C, filtered from precipitated Et3N
hydrochloride, washed with cold THF (3×2 mL), evaporated under reduced pressure. An
oily residue was washed with Et2O (2 mL) to give a powder, which was filtered and
crystallized by the slow diffusion of pentane into CH2Cl2 solution at 10 °C.
5

trans-2a+cis-2a*. Yield 47 mg (93%).
1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.76 (s,
NH), 6.56-7.30 (m, 7H+7H*), 6.63 (d,
J = 3.6 Hz, 2H), 6.60 (d, J = 3.6 Hz,
2H*), 5.60 (s, NH*), 3.72 (s, 3H +
3H*), 1.58 (s, 9H*), 1.51 (s, 9H*),
1.47 (s, 9H), 1.16 (s, 9H). trans-2a:cis-2a 1.63:1.00.
trans-2b+cis-2b*. Yield 39 mg (89%).
1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ 7.66 (s,
NH), 7.15–7.33 (m, 3H+3H*), 7.00 (d, J
= 7.2 Hz, 2H), 7.12 (d, J = 7.5 Hz,
2H*), 5.51 (s, NH*), 1.93 (s, 3H*), 1.90
(s, 3H), 1.56 (s, 9H*, C(CH3)3), 1.47 (s,
13
9H*, C(CH3)3), 1.43 (s, 9H, C(CH3)3), 1.10 (s, 9H, C(CH3)3); trans-2b+cis-2b. C NMR
(101 MHz, CDCl3): δ 191.76 (Ccarbene), 189.39 (Ccarbene) 183.23, 182.73,150.65, 146.51,
128.86, 128.27, 125.78, 125.54, 125.48, 125.36, 55.88 (C(CH3)3), 54.62 (C(CH3)3), 30.14
(C(CH3)3), 29.58 (C(CH3)3), 29.13 (C(CH3)3), 28.84 (C(CH3)3), 17.70 (N=C(N)-CH3),
16.83 (N=C(N)-CH3) (isocyanide carbon atoms were not detected; IR (KBr, см-1): ν(N-H)
3296, ν(C–H) 2971, ν(C≡N) 2206, ν(N=Ccarbene=N) 1525; ESI/MS (m/z, 100V, MeCN):
calculated [С18Н28ClN4Pd+H+] = 441.1037, found [M+H+] = 441.1033. trans-2b:cis-2b
1.33:1.00.
6

trans-2c+cis-2c*. Yield 44 mg (79%).
1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.76 (s,
NH), 6.56-7.30 (m, 7H+7H*), 6.63 (d,
J = 3.6 Hz, 2H), 6.60 (d, J = 3.6 Hz,
2H*), 5.60 (s, NH*), 3.72 (s, 3H +
3H*), 1.58 (s, 9H*, C(CH3)3), 1.51 (s,
9H*, C(CH3)3), 1.47 (s, 9H, C(CH3)3),
13
1.16 (s, 9H, C(CH3)3); trans-2c+cis-2c. C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ 189.60 (Сcarbene),
187.42 (Сcarbene), 160.60, 160.36, 151.32, 146.85, 133.05, 132.72, 128.58, 127.96, 126.81,
126.31, 125.01, 124.65, 112.68, 112.62, 55.86 (C(CH3)3), 55.11(-OCH3), 54.69 (C(CH3)3),
30.17 (C(CH3)3), 29.64 (C(CH3)3), 29.29 (C(CH3)3), 28.99 (C(CH3)3) (isocyanide carbon
atoms were not detected); IR (KBr, cm-1): ν(N-H) 3279, ν(C-H) 2981 , ν(C≡N) 2209,
ν(N=Ccarbene= N) 1534, 1498; ESI/MS (m/z, 100V, MeCN): calculated [С24Н31ClN4OPd-
Cl] = 497.1533, found [M-Cl]+ = 497.1542. trans-2c:cis-2c 1.38:1.00.
trans-2d+cis-2d*. Yield 52 mg
(95%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3):
δ 7.76 (s, 1H, NH), 7.34-7.01 (m,
9H+9H*, Ar), 5.64 (s, 1H, NH*),
3.32 (sept, J = 6.8 Hz, 1H), 3.16
(sept, J = 6.9 Hz, 1H*), 1.93 (s,
3H*), 1.90 (s, 3H,), 1.58 (s, 9H*, C(CH3)3), 1.53 (s, 9H*, C(CH3)3), 1.49 (s, 9H,
C(CH3)3), 1.24 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 6H*), 1.21 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 6H*), 1.08 (s, 9H, C(CH3)3), 0.72
13
(d, J = 6.8 Hz, 6H*); trans-2d+cis-2d. C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl3): δ 190.10 (Сcarbene),
188.1 (Сcarbene), 179.81, 148.19, 145.22, 143.87, 142.44, 142.27, 132.69, 132.48, 130.80,
7

130.53, 129.80, 129.49, 127.21, 127.17, 126.78, 126.25, 126.21, 126.01, 125.78, 125.61,
125.24, 55.91 (C(CH3)3), 54.74 (C(CH3)3), 30.17 (C(CH3)3), 29.60 (C(CH3)3), 29.30
(C(CH3)3), 28.98 (C(CH3)3), 27.78, 27.26, 23.79, 22.50, 22.32 (isocyanide carbon atoms
were not detected); IR (KBr, cm-1): ν(N-H) 3277, ν(C-H) 2962, ν(C≡N) 2211,
ν(N=Ccarbene= N) 1533, 1509; ESI/MS (m/z, 100V, MeCN): calculated [С26Н35ClN4Pd-
Cl]+ = 509.1897, found [M-Cl]+ = 509.1923. trans-2d:cis-2d 2.33:1.00.
Results and Discussion
We started our studies with the optimization of the homogeneous reaction between N-
phenylbenzamidine and PdCl2(CNBut)2. In our preliminary report the yield of the desired
complex was rather low.[28] We now found that the addition of Et3N to the reaction mixture
significantly increases the reaction time and the yield of the carbene complex (99% NMR
yield after 2 hours at room temperature and 93% isolated yield). Further, we tested our
methodology for other amidines 1a-e, which were synthesized from the corresponding
anilines and nitriles by their coupling in the presence of AlCl3 (Scheme 1).
Amidines 1a-e undergo facile coupling with the Pd-bound isocyanide in
PdCl2(CNBut)2 giving carbene complexes 2b-d (Scheme 2) in high isolated yields (79–95%).
Interestingly, the utilization of sterically hindered amidines 1e and 1f not gave the desired
carbenes.
8

Scheme 2. Synthesis of mixed carbene/isocyanide PdII complexes.
1
13
The structures of 2b–d were confirmed by the H and C NMR spectroscopies, high
resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESI-MS), IR, the elemental analyses
(C, H, N), and X-ray diffraction analysis for 2c (Figure 1).
Figure 1. View of 2c with the atomic numbering scheme.
Complex 2c contains acyclic diaminocarbene complex and unreacted isocyanide ligand in
trans configuration. We carried out the Hirshfeld surface analysis for the X-ray structure of 2c
to understand what kind of intermolecular contacts gives the most significant contribution in
9

the crystal packing (Figure 2). The partial contributions of different interatomic contacts to
the molecular Hirshfeld surface of 2c are following: H···H 62.3%, C···H 17.8%, Cl···H 9.2%,
O···H 4.1%, N···H 3.5%, Pd···H 3.1%, and C···C 0.1%. Thus, the Hirshfeld surface analysis
for the X-ray structure of 2c reveals that crystal packing is mainly determined by
intermolecular H–H contacts.
Figure 2. Total molecular Hirshfeld surface for 2c and molecular Hirshfeld surfaces with
selectively highlighted sections, which are formed due to the corresponding interatomic
contacts.
The IR spectra of 2a-d feature characteristic bands at 2206–2211 cm-1 which
correspond to C≡N stretching vibrations from unreacted isocyanide ligand. Interestingly, 2c
features an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the chloride and the N–H proton from the
carbene in the crystal. Careful analysis of the 1H and 13C NMR spectra revealed an existence
of 2a-d in two isomeric forms in CDCl3 solutions (Scheme 3). Additional 2D experiments
(NOESY, COSY) unambiguously confirmed the presence of both cis- and trans-isomers and
the dominance of the trans-form in the liquid. It is worth mentioning here that the cis
10

arrangement is usually preferential for this kind of systems.[4,12–14,28,29] Unfavorable
trans-configuration in 2a-d might be stabilized by the intramolecular hydrogen bonding.
Scheme 3. Isomerization of mixed carbene/isocyanide PdII complexes in the solution.
The ratio between the cis- and trans-isomers did not change significantly when the
substituent R1 at amidine backbone was varied while the equilibrium shifted to the trans-form
when the substituent R2 at the coordinate N atom was changed from Ph to o-PriPh (Scheme
3).
1H NMR spectra of Pd-ADCs exhibited singlets which corresponded to the NH-
protons of the ADC fragment (δ = 7.76 ppm for trans forms of 2a, 2c, 2d and δ = 5.60-5.64
ppm for cis isomers of 2a, 2c, 2d). Chemical shifts of the NH-protons in 2a, 2c, 2d are
identical for the trans isomers and low-field-shifted by ca. 2 ppm compared to the other
isomer. This data also indicates on the formation of the intramolecular hydrogen bond.[30]
In addition, we investigated an influence of the solvent polarity on the equilibrium in
1
our carbene systems. For this purpose, we compared H NMR spectra of 2a in CCl4, CDCl3,
acetone-d6 and DMSO-d6. For these solvents we observed a dominance of the trans-isomer in
less polar solvents (CCl4 – 91%, CDCl3 – 62%, acetone-d6 – 51%, а в DMSO-d6 – 21%).
Thus, a relative amount of the form stabilized by the intramolecular hydrogen bond decreases
11

in more polar solvents probably due to the competition between the intramolecular and
intermolecular (with an appropriate solvent) hydrogen bonding.
Further, we performed DFT calculations and full geometry optimization of four
different isomers of 2c to compare their relative stability from a theoretical point of view
(Figure 3, Tables S8 and S9). The isomer trans-2c featuring intramolecular N–H···Cl
hydrogen bonding was found to be the most stable one.
Figure 3. Optimized equilibrium geometries of four different isomers of 2c and relative
values of their Gibbs free energies (in kcal/mol).
Thus, intramolecular hydrogen bonding stabilizes otherwise unfavorable trans
arrangement in the mixed carbene isocyanide complex. In order to better understand the
situation, we carried out topological analysis of the electron density distribution within the
framework of Bader’s theory (QTAIM method)[31] for the optimized equilibrium model
structure trans-2c (Tables 1 and S9). The contour line diagram of the Laplacian of electron
density distribution 2ρ(r), bond paths, and selected zero-flux surfaces for N–H···Cl non-
12

covalent interactions in the optimized equilibrium model structure trans-2c are shown in
Figure 4.
a
b
ρ(r)
2ρ(r) λ2
Hb
V(r) G(r)
l
WI Eint Eint
0.020 0.068 -0.029 0.001 -0.016 0.016 2.326 0.04 5.0 4.3
a Eint = –V(r)/2[32]
b Eint = 0.429G(r)[33]
Table 1. Values of the density of all electrons – ρ(r), Laplacian of electron density – 2ρ(r)
and appropriate λ2 eigenvalue (with promolecular approximation), energy density – Hb,
potential energy density – V(r), and Lagrangian kinetic energy – G(r) (a.u.) at the bond
critical point (3, –1), corresponding to N–H···Cl non-covalent interactions in the optimized
equilibrium model structure trans-2c as well as bond length – l (Å), Wiberg bond index – WI
and estimated energy – Eint (kcal/mol) for this contact.
13

Figure 4. Contour line diagram of the Laplacian of electron density distribution 2ρ(r), bond
paths and selected zero-flux surfaces referring to N–H···Cl non-covalent interactions in the
optimized equilibrium model structure trans-2c. Bond critical points (3, –1) are shown in
blue, nuclear critical points (3, –3) – in pale brown, ring critical points (3, +1) – in orange,
length units – Å.
The QTAIM analysis demonstrates the presence of appropriate bond critical point (BCP) for
N–H···Cl non-covalent interactions in the optimized equilibrium model structure trans-2c.
The low magnitude of the electron density, positive value of the Laplacian of electron density,
and positive very close to zero energy density in this BCP are typical for hydrogen
bonding[34–37] (Table 1). We have defined strength for this contact according to the
procedures proposed by Espinosa et al.[32] and Vener et al.[33] (Table 1), and one can state
that energy of these N–H···Cl non-covalent interactions (4.3–5.0 kcal/mol) is typical for
moderate strength hydrogen bonding following the classification of Jeffrey (weak: <4
kcal/mol, moderate: 15–4 kcal/mol, strong: 40–15 kcal/mol).[38] The balance between the
Lagrangian kinetic energy G(r) and potential energy density V(r) at the BCPs (3, –1) reveals
the nature of these interactions, if the ratio –G(r)/V(r) > 1 is satisfied, than the nature of
appropriate interaction is purely non-covalent, in case the –G(r)/V(r) < 1 some covalent
component takes place[39]. Based on this criterion one can state that a covalent contribution
in the discussed above N–H···Cl non-covalent interactions in the optimized equilibrium
model structure trans-2c is negligible, which is additionally confirmed by very small value of
Wiberg bond index for this contact (0.04) computed by using the Natural Bond Orbital (NBO)
partitioning scheme.[40] The Laplacian of electron density is typically decomposed into the
sum of contributions along the three principal axes of maximal variation, giving the three
eigenvalues of the Hessian matrix (λ1, λ2 and λ3), and the sign of λ2 can be utilized to
14

distinguish bonding (attractive, λ2 < 0) weak interactions from non-bonding ones (repulsive,
λ2 > 0).[41] Thus, discussed N–H···Cl non-covalent interactions in the optimized equilibrium
model structure trans-2c are attractive.
In summary, here we reported novel mixed-ligand PdII carbene/isocyanide complexes.
We showed that intramolecular hydrogen bonding stabilizes otherwise unfavorable trans
arrangement in these compounds. Solution NMR studies revealed that a relative amount of the
trans-form decreases in more polar solvents due to the competition between the
intramolecular and intermolecular (with an appropriate solvent) hydrogen bonding. The
energy of these N–H···Cl non-covalent interactions (4.3–5.0 kcal/mol) is typical for moderate
strength hydrogen bonding.
Acknowledgments. The synthetic and analytic work of VNM is supported by the Russian
Science Foundation under Grant No. 19-73-00228. AGT is grateful to the FRCCP RAS State
task АААА-А19-119012990175-9 for the financial support. The Hirshfeld surface analysis,
DFT calculations and QTAIM analysis were performed as part of the Russian Science
Foundation project No. 19-73-00001. We acknowledge the RUDN University Program 5-100.
Scientific research was performed at the resource centers of Saint Petersburg State University:
Centre of Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Chemical Analysis and Materials Research, Centre
for X-ray Diffraction Studies, Center of Physical methods of surface investigation.
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Highlights
o Synthesis of novel mixed-ligand PdII carbene/isocyanide complexes.
o Stabilization of otherwise unfavorable trans arrangement in carbene/isocyanide
systems by intramolecular hydrogen bonding.
o X-ray diffraction analysis of the new material.
o Theoretical study of the nature and energies of intramolecular non-covalent
interactions.

Declaration of interests
☐ The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships
that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
☐The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered
as potential competing interests: