On the mechanism of palladium-catalyzed aromatic C-H oxidation

Pd[(OAc).sub.2]-catalyzed aromatic C-H chlorination is analyzed and dinuclear Pd(III) complexes are proposed as intermediated. Kinetic data obtained during catalysis and structural information of relevant intermediates is used for proposing a Pd[(II).sub.2]/Pd[(III).sub.2] catalysis cycle for Pd[(OAc).sub.2]-catalyzed aromatic C-H chlorination.