Lipophilic Amides of EDTA,NTA and Iminodiacetic Acid as Ionophores for Alkaline Earth Metal Cations

A series of electrically neutral lipophilic di-, tri-, and tetra-amides containing tertiary-amine N-atoms were prepared in order to investigate their selectivity for alkali and alkaline earth metal cations in solvent polymeric membranes. Considerable selectivity changes were observed for membranes incorporating certain of these ligands as compared with ligand-free membranes. A 1:1 cation/ligand complex was isolated from N, N′, N″-triheptyl-N, N′, N″-trimethyl-nitrilotriacetamid and Mg (SCN)₂ whereas with Ca (SCN)₂ the corresponding 2:3 cation/ligand complex was formed. N, N′, N″, N?, N?-tetramethyl-ethylenediaminetetraacetamide yields a 1:1 cation/ligand complex with Mg (SCN)₂.     

Use of a flow-injection system in the evaluation of the characteristic behavior of neutral carriers in lithium ion-selective electrodes

A flow-injection system based on microconduits is used to investigate electrode characteristics such as selectivity, detection limit, and response and equilibrium times of the new ionophore, N,N,N′,N′-tetraisobutyl-5,5-dimethyl-3,7-dioxanonane diamide, in lithium ion-selective electrodes. These characteristics were compared with those of the ionophore N,N′-diheptyl-N,N′,5,5-tetramethyl-3,7-dioxanone diamide. The new ionophore has superior detection limits and shorter response and equilibrium time, but the other exhibits better selectivity for lithium with respect to sodium. Values of K^Pot_LiNa for the new ionophore vary from 0.0450 to 0.566, depending on the methods of measurement and solution conditions. This phenomenon is discussed. Stop-flow experiments effectively demonstrated the response and equilibrium time differences between these two ionophore membranes.     

NMR-Spektroskopische Untersuchungen der kinetischen Limitierung der Kationenselektivität eines cadmiumselektiven Ionophors

NMR Studies of the Kinetic Limitation of Cation Selectivity of a Cadmium-Selective Ionophore The Cd²⁺-selective ionophore N,N,N′,N′-tetrabutyl-3, 6-dioxaoctanedithioamide (1) looses its capability to induce cation selectivity in solvent polymeric membranes if these are contacted with Cu²⁺, Pd²⁺, Pt²⁺, Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺. For systems with a free energy of activation of the ligand exchange reaction of more than about 65 kJ mol^?1 (in acetonitrile) the cation complexes of the ionophore act as anion exchangers (Pt²⁺, Pd²⁺). Below about 45 kJ mol^?1 cation permselectivity is observed (Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺). Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ induce a decomposition of the ionophore.     

Layered zincoarsenate templated by N,N,N′,N′‐tetra­methyl­ethyl­ene‐di­amine mol­ecules

The title compound, N,N,N′,N′‐tetra­methyl­ethyl­enedi­ammon­ium di­aqua­(arsenate)­(hydrogen arsenate)­dizinc(II), (C₆H₁₈N₂)_0.5[Zn₂(AsO₄)(HAsO₄)(H₂O)₂], is a new zincoarsenate obtained by hydro­thermal synthesis. The structure consists of infinite two‐dimensional anionic layers alternating with planes containing centrosymmetric organic diprotonated template N,N,N′,N′‐tetra­methyl­ethyl­enedi­ammonium cations, [H₃N­C₆H₁₂NH₃]²⁺. The latter are interconnected to the framework through hydrogen bonds.     

The solvent effect on the isotropic hyperfine interaction in some aliphatic polyamine copper(II) complexes

ESR and optical absorption studies are described for a number of copper(II) chelates with aliphatic polyamines, exhibiting both square pyramidal and square bipyramidal coordination around the copper ion. The complexes studied were bis(N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine)copper(II) sulphate tetrahydrate, bis(N,N′-diethylethylenediamine)copper(II) nitrate, diaquosulphato(N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine)copper(II) hydrate, dinitrato(N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine)copper(II), dichloro(N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine)copper(II) and dithiocyanato(N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine)copper(II). The ESR measurements were carried out in methanol, dimethyl sulphoxide, dimethylformamide and pyridine, at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures. The molecular orbital coefficients were estimated assuming an axial symmetry. The parameter χ proportional to the hyperfine constants shows a variation with the solvent for all these complexes. The χ values in solution are lower than the corresponding average χ values reported in the solid state for each complex. The solvent effect and the influence of 4s character in the ground state are discussed. The χ values, either calculated or reported, for a number of copper complexes for [4O], [3O, N], [2O, 2N], [O, 3N] and [4N] environments around copper(II) are presented.     

Polymeric adducts of rhodium(II) tetraacetate with aliphatic diamines: natural abundance 13C and 15N CPMAS NMR investigations

Complexation properties of dimeric rhodium(II) tetracarboxylates have been utilised in chemistry, spectroscopy and organic synthesis. Particularly, the combination of these rhodium salts with multifunctional ligands results in the formation of coordination polymers, and these are of interest because of their gas‐occlusion properties. In the present work, the polymeric adducts of rhodium(II) tetraacetate with flexible ligands exhibiting conformational variety, ethane‐1,2‐diamine, propane‐1,3‐diamine and their N,N′‐dimethyl‐ and N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl derivatives, have been investigated by means of elemental analysis, ¹³C CPMAS NMR, ¹⁵N CPMAS NMR and density functional theory modelling. Elemental analysis and NMR spectra indicated the axial coordination mode and regular structures of (1 : 1)_n oligomeric chains in the case of adducts of ethane‐1,2‐diamine, N,N′‐dimethylethane‐1,2‐diamine N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethane‐1,2‐diamine and N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylpropane‐1,3‐diamine. Propane‐1,3‐diamine and N,N′‐dimethylpropane‐1,3‐diamine tended to form heterogeneous materials, composed of oligomeric (1 : 1)_n chains and the additive of dirhodium units containing equatorially bonded ligands. Experimental findings have been supported by density functional theory modelling of some hypothetical structures and gauge‐invariant atomic orbital calculations of NMR chemical shifts. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Complexes of Uranyl Nitrate with 2,6‐Pyridinedicarboxamides: Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and DFT Study

Two complexes of uranyl nitrate with N,N,N′,N′‐tetrabutyl‐2,6‐pyridinedicarboxamide (TBuDPA) and N,N′‐diethyl‐N,N′‐diphenyl‐2,6‐pyridinedicarboxamide (EtPhDPA) were synthesized and studied. The complex of tetraalkyl‐2,6‐pyridinedicarboxamide with metal nitrate was synthesized for the first time. XRD analysis revealed the different type of complexation: a 1:1 metal:ligand complex for EtPhDPA and complex with polymeric structure for TBuDPA. The quantum chemical calculations (DFT) confirm that both ligands form the most stable complexes that match the minimal values pre‐organization energy of the ligands.     

Dicationic ionic liquids as recyclable catalysts for one‐pot solvent‐free synthesis of α‐aminophosphonates

Some task‐specific ionic liquids N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl‐N,N′‐dipropanesulfonic acid ethylene‐diammonium hydrogen sulfate, N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl‐N,N′‐dipropanesulfonic acid‐1,3‐propanediammonium hydrogen sulfate, N,N,N′,N′‐ tetramethyl‐N,N′‐ dipropanesulfonic acid‐1,6‐hexanediammonium hydrogen sulfate were prepared. These ionic liquids could be used as efficient and recyclable catalysts for the synthesis of α‐aminophosphonates at room temperature via an one‐pot three‐component reaction under organic solvent‐free conditions with good yields of 83–96%. The postprocessing was simple, and the catalysts could be reused at least six times without noticeably decreasing the catalytic activity. The novel clean procedure offers the advantages including short reaction time, good yields, operational simplicity, and environmentally benign. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:1–5, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.20647     

Lanthanide Complexes of Polyacid Ligands derived from 2, 6-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine,pyrazine, and 6, 6′-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)-2, 2′-bipyridine: Synthesis and luminescence properties

The synthesis of three novel pyrazole-containing complexing acids, N,N,N′,N′-{2, 6-bis[3-(aminomethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-4-methoxypyridine}tetrakis(acetic acid)( 1 ), N,N,N′,N′-{2, 6-bis[3-(aminomethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]pyrazine}-tetrakis(acetic acid) ( 2 ), and N,N,N′,N′-{6, 6′-bis[3-(aminomethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-2, 2′-bipyridine}tetrakis(acetic acid) ( 3 ) is described. Ligands 1–3 formed stable complexes with Eu^III, Tb^III, Sm^III, and Dy^III in H₂O whose relative luminescence yields, triplet-state energies, and emission decay lifetimes were measured. The number of H₂O molecules in the first coordination sphere of the lanthanide ion were also determined. Comparison of data from the Eu^III and Tb^III complexes of 1–3 and those of the parent trisheterocycle N,N,N′,N′-{2, 6-bis[3-(aminomethyl)pyrazol-l-yl]pyridine}tetrakis(acetic acid) showed that the modification of the pyridine ring for pyrazine or 2, 2′-bipyridine strongly modify the luminescence properties of the complexes. MeO Substitution at C(4) of 1 maintain the excellent properties described for the parent compound and give an additional functional group that will serve for attaching the label to biomolecules in bioaffinity applications.     

Mononuclear and three‐dimensional metal complexes based on a multidentate hydrazone ligand

A potentially pentadentate hydrazone ligand, N′‐[1‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazide (HL), was prepared from the condensation reaction of nicotinohydrazide and acetylpyrazine. Reactions of HL with MnCl₂, Mn(CH₃COO)₂ and Cd(CH₃COO)₂ afforded three metal complexes, namely dichlorido{N′‐[1‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl‐κN¹)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazide‐κ²N′,O}manganese(II), [MnCl₂(C₁₂H₁₁N₅O)], (I), bis{N′‐[1‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl‐κN¹)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazidato‐κ²N′,O]manganese(II), [Mn(C₁₂H₁₀N₅O)₂], (II), and poly[[(acetato‐κ²O,O′){μ₃‐N′‐[1‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl‐κ²N¹:N⁴)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazidato‐κ³N′,O:N¹}cadmium(II)] chloroform disolvate], {[Cd(C₁₂H₁₀N₅O)(CH₃COO)]·2CHCl₃}_n, (III), respectively. Complex (I) has a mononuclear structure, the Mn^II centre adopting a distorted square‐pyramidal coordination. Complex (II) also has a mononuclear structure, with the Mn^II centre occupying a special position (C₂ symmetry) and adopting a distorted octahedral coordination environment, which is defined by two O atoms and four N atoms from two N′‐[1‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazidate (L⁻) ligands related via a crystallographic twofold axis. Complex (III) features a unique three‐dimensional network with rectangular channels, and the L⁻ ligand also serves as a counter‐anion. The coordination geometry of the Cd^II centre is pentagonal bipyramidal. This study demonstrates that HL, which can act as either a neutral or a mono‐anionic ligand, is useful in the construction of interesting metal–organic compounds.     

Photoluminescence properties of a cationic trinuclear zinc(II) complex with the tetradentate Schiff base ligand 6‐methyl‐2‐({[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]imino}methyl)phenolate

Metal complexes with Schiff base ligands have been suggested as potential phosphors in electroluminescent devices. In the title complex, tetrakis[6‐methyl‐2‐({[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]imino}methyl)phenolato‐1:2κ⁸N,N′,O:O;3:2κ⁸N,N′,O:O]trizinc(II) hexafluoridophosphate methanol monosolvate, [Zn₃(C₁₄H₁₃N₂O)₄](PF₆)₂·CH₃OH, the Zn^II cations adopt both six‐ and four‐coordinate geometries involving the N and O atoms of tetradentate 6‐methyl‐2‐({[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]imino}methyl)phenolate ligands. Two terminal Zn^II cations adopt distorted octahedral geometries and the central Zn^II cation adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The O atoms of the phenolate ligands bridge three Zn^II cations, forming a dicationic trinuclear metal cluster. The title complex exhibits a strong emission at 469 nm with a quantum yield of 15.5%.     

Syntheses and X-ray crystal structures of five- and six-coordinate copper(II) complexes of N,N,N′,N′-tetraalkylpyridine-2,6-dicarboxamides containing–OClO3 and–OSO2CF3 counter ions

Reactions of anhydrous copper(II) chloride with NaX (1 : 1 or 1 : 2) and AgX (1 : 2) containing appropriate N,N,N′,N′-tetraalkylpyridine-2,6-dicarboxamides(O-daap) in CH₃CN yield monosubstituted five-coordinate [Cu(L₁)Cl(CF₃SO₃)] (1), [Cu(L₂)Cl(ClO₄)] (2), [Cu(L₃)Cl(ClO₄)] (3), and six-coordinate [Cu(L₂)(CF₃SO₃)₂] · H₂O (4) (X = ?OClO₃ and–OSO₂CF₃; L₁ = N,N,N′,N′-tetraethylpyridine-2,6-dicarboxamides; L₂ = N,N,N′,N′-tetraisopropylpyridine-2,6-dicarboxamides; L₃ = N,N,N′,N′-tetraisobutylpyridine-2,6-dicarboxamides). The structures of these complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The Cu²⁺ in 1–3 adopts distorted square-pyramidal geometry, while 4 exhibits octahedral structure. Steric factors in conjunction with lattice effects and the nature of the anions are responsible for the variety in coordination spheres. These compounds undergo extensive intermolecular H-bonding to give to 2-D sheets extending along various planes.     

Study of Bulk Membrane Transport of Some Heavy Metal Cations Using Three Macrocyclic Ligands Containing Oxygen and Nitrogen Heteroatoms

The transport experiments of Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ag⁺ and Pb²⁺ metal cations were carried out by dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6), dibenzyl-diaza-18-crown-6 (Dibenzyl-diaza-18C6) and di-tert-butyl-dibenzo-18-crown-6 (Di-tert-butyl-DB18C6) using chloroform (CHCl₃), 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) and nitrobenzene (NB) organic solvents as liquid membranes. The source phase contained equimolar concentration of these metal cations and the source and receiving phases being buffered at pH=5 and pH=3, respectively. The obtained results show that the selectivity and the efficiency of transport for these heavy metal cations change with the nature of the ligand and also the organic solvents, which were used as liquid membranes in these experiments. A good selectivity was observed for silver (I) ion by dibenzyl-diaza-18C6 in all membrane systems. Dibenzo-18C6 and di-tert-butyl-DB18C6 showed the highest transport efficiency for cobalt (II) ion. The effect of stearic acid on transport efficiency was also investigated and the results show that the efficiency of transport of the heavy metal cations increases in the presence of this organic acid.     

Non-Heme FeII Diastereomeric Complexes Bearing a Hexadentate Ligand: Unexpected Consequences for the Spin State and Catalytic Oxidation Properties

The reactivity and selectivity of non-heme Fe^II complexes as oxidation catalysts can be substantially modified by alteration of the ligand backbone or introduction of various substituents. In comparison with the hexadentate ligand N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (TPEN), N,N′-bis[1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (_2MeL₆²) has a methyl group on two of the four picolyl positions. Fe^II complexation by _2MeL₆² yields two diastereomeric complexes with very similar structures, which only differ in the axial/equatorial positions occupied by the methylated pyridyl groups. In solution, these two isomers exhibit different magnetic behaviors. Whereas one isomer exhibits temperature-dependent spin-state conversion between the S=0 and S=2 states, the other is more reluctant towards this spin-state equilibrium and is essentially diamagnetic at room temperature. Their catalytic properties for the oxidation of anisole by H₂O₂ are very different and correlate with their magnetic properties, which reflect their lability/inertness. These different properties most likely depend on the different steric constraints of the methylated pyridyl groups in the two complexes.     

Étude de la complexation des lanthanides trivalents par les six isomères de l'acide diaminocyclohexane-tétraacétique : Partie 3. Relation entre les Constantes d'Acidité et la Structure Moleculaire des Chélatants

(Study of the complexation of trivalent lanthanides by the six isomers of diaminocyclohexanetetraacetic acid. Part 3. Relationship between the acidity constants and the molecular structure of the ligands.)Potentiometric measurements of the acidity constants of the six isomers of diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (DCTA) are reported for an ionic strength of 1 mol l^?1 (KCl) at 25°C. The values of the two constants K_a3 and K_a4 are correlated with the maximum N—N distance for each ligand. Ethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and some homologous ligands, including specially synthesized, 1,8-diaminooctane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid and 1,10-diaminodecane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, are studied under the same conditions. It is proved that there is a relationship between the molecular structure and the affinity for protons.     

Electroninitiated polymerization of bis(trichlorophenoxo)-tetramethylethylene diamine copper(II)

Electroninitiated polymerization of bis(trichlorophenoxo)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylene diamine copper(II) was achieved in acetonitrile at various peak potentials of the monomer. A constant potential approach was selected in polymerization reactions. Electrolyses were carried out under air, nitrogen, and oxygen atmospheres. Structural analyses of the polymers were done by ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR FT–IR spectroscopy. Molecular weights of the polymers were determined by vapor pressure (isopiestic) method.     

Formation and decay of N,N, N′, N′-tetraethyl-p-phenylenediamine radical cation in aqueous solution. A kinetic study by stopped-flow technique

A kinetic study has been carried out on the oxidation of N, N, N′, N′,-tetraethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TEPD) by metal ion like Ce⁴⁺, oxoanions viz., MnO₄^? and Cr₂O₇^2?; peroxides such as peroxomonosulphate (PMS), peroxodisulphate (PDS), and H₂O₂; and halogens namely Cl₂, Br₂, and I₂. The fast kinetics of the formation and decay of the radical cation TEPD^˙+ have been analyzed at 565 nm by the stopped-flow technique under pseudo-first-order conditions. From the kinetic data, it has been inferred that the reactions were found to be of first-order with respect to [TEPD] and [oxidant] but over all it has been of second-order. The observed second-order rate constants in both the formation and decay of TEPD^˙+ has been correlated with the oxidation potentials of the various oxidants employed in this study. The effect of pH on the oxidation has been investigated in the formation and decay of TEPD^˙+ as well as reduction studies have also been carried out using dithionite which has been found to regenerate the TEPD from the TEPD^˙+ and the corresponding rate constant has also been determined. Besides these, this article also explains how the TEPD, which forms TEPD^˙+ acts as a better electron relay than TMPD(N, N, N′, N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine) which forms TMPD^˙+, even though both of them undergo one-electron oxidation and are used in the chemical routes to solar energy conversions. The observed rate constants for electron transfer were correlated theoretically using Marcus theory. The observed and calculated rate constants have good correlation. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Bis[μ3‐cis‐N‐(2‐aminopropyl)‐N′‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)oxamidato(3–)]bis(2,2′‐bipyridine)dichloridotetracopper(II) dihydrate

The title complex, bis[μ₃‐cis‐N‐(2‐aminopropyl)‐N′‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)oxamidato(3−)]‐1:2:4κ⁷N,N′,N′′,O:O′,O′′:O′′′;2:3:4κ⁷O′′′:N,N′,N′′,O:O′,O′′‐bis(2,2′‐bipyridine)‐2κ²N,N′;4κ²N,N′‐dichlorido‐1κCl,3κCl‐tetracopper(II) dihydrate, [Cu₄(C₁₂H₁₂N₃O₄)₂Cl₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂]·2H₂O, consists of a neutral cyclic tetracopper(II) system having an embedded centre of inversion and two solvent water molecules. The coordination of each Cu^II atom is square‐pyramidal. The separations of Cu^II atoms bridged by cis‐N‐(2‐aminopropyl)‐N′‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)oxamidate(3−) and carboxyl groups are 5.2096 (4) and 5.1961 (5) Å, respectively. A three‐dimensional supramolecular structure involving hydrogen bonding and aromatic stacking is observed.     

N‐Benzoyl‐N′,N′‐dibutylselenourea and its palladium(II) complex

The crystal and molecular structures of N‐benzoyl‐N′,N′‐dibutylselenourea (HL), C₁₆H₂₄N₂OSe, and the corresponding complex bis(N‐benzoyl‐N′,N′‐dibutylselenoureato‐κ²Se,O)palladium(II), [Pd(C₁₆H₂₃N₂OSe)₂], are reported. The selenourea molecule is characterized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the selenoamidic H atom and the Se atom of a neighbouring molecule forming a dimer, presumably as a consequence of resonance‐assisted hydrogen bonding or π‐bonding co‐operativity. A second dimeric hydrogen bond is also described. In the palladium complex, the typical square‐planar coordination characteristic of such ligands results in a cis‐[Pd(L‐Se,O)₂] complex.     

Nickel(II) Complexes of Pentadentate N5 Ligands as Catalysts for Alkane Hydroxylation by Using m‐CPBA as Oxidant: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

A new family of nickel(II) complexes of the type [Ni(L)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂, where L=N‐methyl‐N,N′,N′‐tris(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐ethylenediamine (L1, 1 ), N‐benzyl‐N,N′,N′‐tris(pyrid‐2‐yl‐methyl)‐ethylenediamine (L2, 2 ), N‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N′‐(6‐methyl‐pyrid‐2‐yl‐methyl)‐ethylenediamine (L3, 3 ), N‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N′‐(quinolin‐2‐ylmethyl)‐ethylenediamine (L4, 4 ), and N‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N′‐imidazole‐2‐ylmethyl)‐ethylenediamine (L5, 5 ), has been isolated and characterized by means of elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. The single‐crystal X‐ray structure of [Ni(L3)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ reveals that the nickel(II) center is located in a distorted octahedral coordination geometry constituted by all the five nitrogen atoms of the pentadentate ligand and an acetonitrile molecule. In a dichloromethane/acetonitrile solvent mixture, all the complexes show ligand field bands in the visible region characteristic of an octahedral coordination geometry. They exhibit a one‐electron oxidation corresponding to the Ni^II/Ni^III redox couple the potential of which depends upon the ligand donor functionalities. The new complexes catalyze the oxidation of cyclohexane in the presence of m‐CPBA as oxidant up to a turnover number of 530 with good alcohol selectivity (A/K, 7.1–10.6, A=alcohol, K=ketone). Upon replacing the pyridylmethyl arm in [Ni(L1)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ by the strongly σ‐bonding but weakly π‐bonding imidazolylmethyl arm as in [Ni(L5)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ or the sterically demanding 6‐methylpyridylmethyl ([Ni(L3)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂ and the quinolylmethyl arms ([Ni(L4)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)₂, both the catalytic activity and the selectivity decrease. DFT studies performed on cyclohexane oxidation by complexes 1 and 5 demonstrate the two spin‐state reactivity for the high‐spin [(N5)Ni^II?O^.] intermediate (ts1_hs, ts2_doublet), which has a low‐spin state located closely in energy to the high‐spin state. The lower catalytic activity of complex 5 is mainly due to the formation of thermodynamically less accessible m‐CPBA‐coordinated precursor of [Ni^II(L5)(OOCOC₆H₄Cl)]⁺ ( 5 a ). Adamantane is oxidized to 1‐adamantanol, 2‐adamantanol, and 2‐adamantanone (3°/2°, 10.6–11.5), and cumene is selectively oxidized to 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol. The incorporation of sterically hindering pyridylmethyl and quinolylmethyl donor ligands around the Ni^II leads to a high 3°/2° bond selectivity for adamantane oxidation, which is in contrast to the lower cyclohexane oxidation activities of the complexes.