A chain catalytic reaction involving Pd cluster as chain carrier

 α−Alkyl- and α,α′-dialkyl-substituted benzylic alcohols PhCR′R′′OH (R′=H, Me, Et, Bu; R′′=H, Me) are transformed to the corresponding dilbenzylic ethers and water in acid-free neat substrate media shortly after the addition of the palladium(I) cluster [Pd4(CO)4(OAc)4] (1). During the catalytic reaction occurring under anaerobic conditions, cluster 1 is gradually decomposed to form Pd black, whereas neither original cluster 1 nor Pd black is responsible for the observed reaction. The true reaction catalyst is generated from cluster 1 after a short induction period. On the basis of the reaction kinetics and the HREM, X-ray diffraction, DTA-TG, and elemental analysis data, the catalytic dehydration is suggested to occur through a nonradical chain mechanism involving an unstable intermediate Pd cluster as the chain carrier.