The electronic nature of the recently reported complex, bis((Z)-1-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)-3.3.3-trifluoroprop-1-en-2-ate)palladium, is re-investigated by a combination of spectroscopy (NMR, IR, magnetic moment, etc.) and Density Functional Theory (DFT: B3LYP 6-31G*/LANL2DZ). In contrast to the recent report, the title complex displays all the properties of diamagnetism and hence retains the properties of a formally Pd(II) square planar complex with a bis-κ2-N,O-donor ligand set. A modified synthetic route is also presented which improves the yield of the compound.
Keywords: density functional theory; diamagnetic; fluorinated benzoxazole; palladium complex.