Synthesis and structures of (−) menthyl and (+) neomenthyl substituted enantio pure bis(1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene)PdI 2 complexes and PEPPSI type (1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene) (pyridine)PdI 2 complexes. Comparison of catalytic activities for C–C coupling

(−) Menthol was converted to 1-menthyl-3-methyl-4-phenyltriazolium iodide and 1-neomethyl-3-methyl-4-phenyltriazolium iodide in four steps. These triazolium salts that are enantio pure but diastereo isomers, served as precursors for the synthesis of the corresponding enantio pure bis(1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene)PdI2 complexes with menthyl and neomenthyl wing tip groups. The palladium complexes were synthesized in high yields using a recently developed mild method under base free and silver free conditions at ambient temperature. These triazolium salts also served as precursors for the synthesis of the corresponding enantio pure PEPPSI type (1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene) (pyridine)PdI2 complexes. All the complexes were thoroughly characterized by spectroscopic and single crystal XRD data. The relative catalytic activities of these complexes were compared for Suzuki–Miyaura C–C coupling.