Chapter one is an introduction to the less common coordination and oxidation chemistry of palladium; complexes containing Pd-OR, Pd-NR2 and those in the oxidation states of +IV. An outline of PdII/IV catalysed ligand-directed oxidative functionalisation is also included. Chapter two covers the design and synthesis of a range of tethered N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of Pd. In addition, the syntheses of a number of new tethered NHC ligands are described. The use of Density Functional Theory (DFT) to model the complexes in this thesis was explored. Chapter three describes the synthesis and characterisation of PdIV halide complexes. The relevance of these compounds to PdII/IV catalysed ligand-directed oxidative functionalisation is explored. DFT was used to probe the reaction pathway for N-bromosuccinimide and iodobenzene dichloride. Chapter four examines reactions with oxidants used to form C-O and C-C bonds. The reaction pathway for iodobenzene diacetate was investigated using DFT. Chapter five contains experimental details and characterising data for the compounds reported.