Homo‐ and Heterodinuclear Ir and Rh Imine‐functionalized Protic NHC Complexes: Synthetic,Structural Studies,and Tautomerization/Metallotropism Insights

The influence of the potentially chelating imino group of imine‐functionalized Ir and Rh imidazole complexes on the formation of functionalized protic N‐heterocyclic carbene (pNHC) complexes by tautomerization/metallotropism sequences was investigated. Chloride abstraction in [Ir(cod)Cl{C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κN3}] ( 1 a ) (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene, Dipp=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) with TlPF₆ gave [Ir(cod){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine)}]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 3 a ⁺[PF₆]^?). Plausible mechanisms for the tautomerization of complex 1 a to 3 a ⁺[PF₆]^? involving C2?H bond activation either in 1 a or in [Ir(cod){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κN3}₂]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 6 a ⁺[PF₆]^?) were postulated. Addition of PR₃ to complex 3 a ⁺[PF₆]^? afforded the eighteen‐valence‐electron complexes [Ir(cod)(PR₃){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine)}]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 7 a ⁺[PF₆]^? (R=Ph) and 7 b ⁺[PF₆]^? (R=Me)). In contrast to Ir, chloride abstraction from [Rh(cod)Cl{C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κN3}] ( 1 b ) at room temperature afforded [Rh(cod){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κN3}₂]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 6 b ⁺[PF₆]^?) and [Rh(cod){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine)}]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 3 b ⁺[PF₆]^?) (minor); the reaction yielded exclusively the latter product in toluene at 110 °C. Double metallation of the azole ring (at both the C2 and the N3 atom) was also achieved: [Ir₂(cod)₂Cl{μ‐C₃H₂N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine),κN3}] ( 10 ) and the heterodinuclear complex [IrRh(cod)₂Cl{μ‐C₃H₂N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine),κN3}] ( 12 ) were fully characterized. The structures of complexes 1 b , 3 b ⁺[PF₆]^?, 6 a ⁺[PF₆]^?, 7 a ⁺[PF₆]^?, [Ir(cod){C₃HN₂(DippN=CMe)(DippN=CH)(Me)‐κ²(N3,N_imine)}]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 9 ⁺[PF₆]^?), 10? Et₂O ? toluene, [Ir₂(CO)₄Cl{μ‐C₃H₂N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine),κN3}] ( 11 ), and 12? 2 THF were determined by X‐ray diffraction.     

Influence of the Flexibility of Nickel PCP-Pincer Complexes on C−H and P−C Bond Activation and Ethylene Reactivity: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

Using a pincer platform based on a bridgehead NHC donor with functional side arms, the combined effect of increased flexibility in six-membered pyrimidine-type heterocycles compared to the more often studied five-membered imidazole, and rigidity of phosphane side arms was examined. The unique features observed include: 1) the reaction of the azolium C_sp2−H bond with [Ni(cod)₂] affording a carbanionic ligand in [NiCl(PC_sp3^HP)] ( 8 ) rather than a carbene; 2) its transformation into the NHC, hydrido complex [NiH(PC^NHCP)]PF₆ ( 9 ) upon halide abstraction; 3) ethylene insertion into the Ni−H bond of the latter and ethyl migration to the N−C−N carbon atom of the heterocycle in [Ni(PC^EtP)]PF₆ ( 10 ); and 4) an unprecedented C−P bond activation transforming the P−C^NHC−P pincer ligand of 8 in a C−C^NHC−P pincer and a terminal phosphanido ligand in [Ni(PPh₂)(CC^NHCP)] ( 15 ). The data are supported by nine crystal structure determinations and theoretical calculations provided insights into the mechanisms of these transformations, which are relevant to stoichiometric and catalytic steps of general interest.     

Front Cover: Small-Molecule Activation by Heteroleptic Metallasilylenes (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2/2023)

We report on reactions of heteroleptic metallasilylenes L¹(Cl)MSiL² (M=Al 1 , Ga 2 , L¹=HC[C(Me)NDipp]₂, Dipp=2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃; L²=PhC(N^tBu)₂) with CO₂, N₂O, and Me₃SiN₃, yielding the corresponding carbonate complexes L¹(Cl)MOSi(CO₃-κ²O,O−)L² (M=Al 3 , Ga 4 ), silanoic esters L¹(Cl)MOSi(O)L² (M=Al 5 , Ga 6 ), and silaimine L¹(Cl)GaSi(NSiMe₃)L² ( 8 ), whereas {L²Si[N(SiMe₃)Al(Cl)C(Me)NDipp][CHC(Me)N(Dipp)]} 7 was formed by C−C bond cleavage of the L¹ ligand. Compounds 3 – 8 were characterized by NMR (¹H, ¹³C) and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

A comparative study of the packing of two polymorphs of the nickel(II) pincer complex [2,6‐bis(di‐tert‐butylphosphinoyl)‐4‐(3,5‐dinitrobenzoyloxy)phenyl‐κ3P,C1,P′]chloridonickel(II)

Pincer complexes can act as catalysts in organic transformations and have potential applications in materials, medicine and biology. They exhibit robust structures and high thermal stability attributed to the tridentate coordination of the pincer ligands and the strong σ metal–carbon bond. Nickel derivatives of these ligands have shown high catalytic activities in cross‐coupling reactions and other industrially relevant transformations. This work reports the crystal structures of two polymorphs of the title Ni^II POCOP pincer complex, [Ni(C₂₉H₄₁N₂O₈P₂)Cl] or [NiCl{C₆H₂‐4‐[OCOC₆H₄‐3,5‐(NO₂)₂]‐2,6‐(OP^tBu₂)₂}]. Both pincer structures exhibit the Ni^II atom in a distorted square‐planar coordination geometry with the POCOP pincer ligand coordinated in a typical tridentate manner via the two P atoms and one arene C atom via a C—Ni σ bond, giving rise to two five‐membered chelate rings. The coordination sphere of the Ni^II centre is completed by a chloride ligand. The asymmetric units of both polymorphs consist of one molecule of the pincer complex. In the first polymorph, the arene rings are nearly coplanar, with a dihedral angle between the mean planes of 27.9 (1)°, while in the second polymorph, this angle is 82.64 (1)°, which shows that the arene rings are almost perpendicular to one another. The supramolecular structure is directed by the presence of weak C—H…O=X (X = C or N) interactions, forming two‐ and three‐dimensional chain arrangements.     

Experimental and Theoretical Study of NiII- and PdII-Promoted Double Geminal C(sp3)−H Bond Activation Providing Facile Access to NHC Pincer Complexes: Isolated Intermediates and Mechanism

We report the first examples of metal-promoted double geminal activation of C(sp³)−H bonds of the N−CH₂−N moiety in an imidazole-type heterocycle, leading to nickel and palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes under mild conditions. Reaction of the new electron-rich diphosphine 1,3-bis((di-tert-butylphosphaneyl)methyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazole ( 1 ) with [PdCl₂(cod)] occurred in a stepwise fashion, first by single C−H bond activation yielding the alkyl pincer complex [PdCl(PC ^HP)] ( 3 ) with two trans phosphane donors and a covalent Pd−C bond. Activation of the C−H bond of the resulting α-methine C H−M group occurred subsequently when 3 was treated with HCl to yield the NHC pincer complex [PdCl(PC^NHCP)]Cl ( 2 ). Treatment of 1 with [NiBr₂(dme)] also afforded a NHC pincer complex, [NiBr(PC^NHCP)]Br ( 6 ), but the reactions leading to the double geminal C−H bond activation of the N−CH₂−N group were too fast to allow identification or isolation of an intermediate analogous to 3 . The determination of six crystal structures, the isolation of reaction intermediates and DFT calculations provided the basis for suggesting the mechanism of the stepwise transformation of a N−CH₂−N moiety in the N−C^NHC−N unit of NHC pincer complexes and explain the key differences observed between the Pd and Ni chemistries.     

Synthesis of a Metallo‐Iminosilane via a Silanone–Metal π‐Complex

Facile oxygenation of the acyclic amido‐chlorosilylene bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) Ni⁰ complex [{N(Dipp)(SiMe₃)ClSi:→Ni(NHC)₂] ( 1 ; Dipp=2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₄; N‐heterocyclic carbene=C[(ⁱPr)NC(Me)]₂) with N₂O furnishes the first Si‐metalated iminosilane, [DippN=Si(OSiMe₃)Ni(Cl)(NHC)₂] ( 3 ), in a rearrangement cascade. Markedly, the formation of 3 proceeds via the silanone (Si=O)–Ni π‐complex 2 as the initial product, which was predicted by DFT calculations and observed spectroscopically. The Si=O and Si=N moieties in 2 and 3 , respectively, show remarkable hydroboration reactivity towards H−B bonds of boranes, in the former case corroborating the proposed formation of a (Si=O)–Ni π‐complex at low temperature.     

Two nickel(II) bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]amine complexes with homophthalic and benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylic acids

Two new Ni^II complexes involving the ancillary ligand bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]amine (bpma) and two different carboxylate ligands, i.e. homophthalate [hph; systematic name: 2‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)acetate] and benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylate (btc), namely catena‐poly[[aqua{bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}nickel(II)]‐μ‐2‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)aceteto‐κ²O:O′], [Ni(C₉H₆O₄)(C₁₂H₁₃N₃)(H₂O)]_n, and (μ‐benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylato‐κ⁴O¹,O²:O⁴,O⁵)bis(aqua{bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}nickel(II)) bis(triaqua{bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}nickel(II)) benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylate hexahydrate, [Ni₂(C₁₀H₂O₈)(C₁₂H₁₃N₃)₂(H₂O)₂]·[Ni(C₁₂H₁₃N₃)(H₂O)₃]₂(C₁₀H₂O₈)·6H₂O, (II), are presented. Compound (I) is a one‐dimensional polymer with hph acting as a bridging ligand and with the chains linked by weak C—H...O interactions. The structure of compound (II) is much more complex, with two independent Ni^II centres having different environments, one of them as part of centrosymmetric [Ni(bpma)(H₂O)]₂(btc) dinuclear complexes and the other in mononuclear [Ni(bpma)(H₂O)₃]²⁺ cations which (in a 2:1 ratio) provide charge balance for btc⁴⁻ anions. A profuse hydrogen‐bonding scheme, where both coordinated and crystal water molecules play a crucial role, provides the supramolecular linkage of the different groups.     

C?H Activation of Benzene by a Photoactivated NiII(azide): Formation of a Transient Nickel Nitrido Complex

Photochemical activation of nickel‐azido complex 2 [Ni(N₃)(PNP)] (PN^HP=2,2′‐di(isopropylphosphino)‐4,4′‐ditolylamine) in neat benzene produces diamagnetic complex 3 [Ni(Ph)(PN^PN^H)], which is crystallographically characterized. DFT calculations support photoinitiated N₂‐loss of the azido complex to generate a rare, transient Ni^IV nitrido species, which bears significant nitridyl radical character. Subsequent trapping of this nitrido through insertion into the Ni P bond generates a coordinatively unsaturated Ni^II imidophosphorane PN donor. This species shows unprecedented reactivity toward 1,2‐addition of a C H bond of benzene to form 3 . The structurally characterized chlorido complex 4 [Ni(Cl)(PN^PN^H)] is generated by reaction of 3 with HCl or by direct photolysis of 2 in chlorobenzene. This is the first report of aromatic C H bond activation by a trapped transient nitrido species of a late transition metal.     

CH Activation of Benzene by a Photoactivated NiII(azide): Formation of a Transient Nickel Nitrido Complex

Photochemical activation of nickel‐azido complex 2 [Ni(N₃)(PNP)] (PN^HP=2,2′‐di(isopropylphosphino)‐4,4′‐ditolylamine) in neat benzene produces diamagnetic complex 3 [Ni(Ph)(PN^PN^H)], which is crystallographically characterized. DFT calculations support photoinitiated N₂‐loss of the azido complex to generate a rare, transient Ni^IV nitrido species, which bears significant nitridyl radical character. Subsequent trapping of this nitrido through insertion into the Ni? P bond generates a coordinatively unsaturated Ni^II imidophosphorane P?N donor. This species shows unprecedented reactivity toward 1,2‐addition of a C? H bond of benzene to form 3 . The structurally characterized chlorido complex 4 [Ni(Cl)(PN^PN^H)] is generated by reaction of 3 with HCl or by direct photolysis of 2 in chlorobenzene. This is the first report of aromatic C? H bond activation by a trapped transient nitrido species of a late transition metal.     

Synthesis of 2‐(N‐arylimino)pyrrolide nickel complexes and polymerization of methyl methacrylate

The synthesis, characterization and methyl methacrylate polymerization behaviors of 2‐(N‐arylimino)pyrrolide nickel complexes are described. The nickel complex [NN]₂Ni ( 1 , [NN] = [2‐C(H)NAr‐5‐tBu‐C₄H₂N]^?, Ar = 2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) was prepared in good yield by the reaction of [NN]Li with trans‐[Ni(Cl)(Ph)(PPh₃)₂] in THF. Reaction of [NN]Li with NiBr₂(DME) yielded the nickel bromide [NN]Ni(Br)[NNH] ( 2 ). Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and by X‐ray single crystal analysis. Both complexes, upon activation with methylaluminoxane, are highly active for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate to give high molecular weight polymethylmethacrylate with narrow molecular distributions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vinyl polymerization of norbornene by mono‐ and trinuclear nickel complexes with indanimine ligands

A series of new indanimine ligands [ArN?CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)OH] (Ar = Ph, R = Me ( 1 ), R = H ( 2 ), and R = Cl ( 3 ); Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃, R = Me ( 4 ), R = H ( 5 ), and R = Cl ( 6 )) were synthesized and characterized. Reaction of indanimines with Ni(OAc)₂·4H₂O results in the formation of the trinuclear hexa(indaniminato)tri (nickel(II)) complexes Ni₃[ArN = CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)O]₆ (Ar = Ph, R = Me ( 7 ), R = H ( 8 ), and R = Cl ( 9 )) and the mononuclear bis(indaniminato)nickel (II) complexes Ni[ArN?CC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)O]₂ (Ar = 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃, R = Me ( 10 ), R = H ( 11 ), and R = Cl ( 12 )). All nickel complexes were characterized by their IR, NMR spectra, and elemental analyses. In addition, X‐ray structure analyses were performed for complexes 7 , 10 , 11 , and 12 . After being activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), these nickel(II) complexes can polymerize norbornene to produce addition‐type polynorbornene (PNB) with high molecular weight M_v (10⁶ g mol^?1), highly catalytic activities up to 2.18 × 10⁷ gPNB mol^?1 Ni h^?1. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of PNB have been investigated for various reaction conditions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 489–500, 2008     

A Diazabutadiene stabilized Nickel(0) Cyclooctadiene Complex: Synthesis,Characterization and the Reaction with Diphenylacetylene

The reaction of [Ni(COD)₂] with one equivalent of DAB^Mes (DAB^Mes = (2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂)N=C(Me)‐C(Me)=N(2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂)) affords a mixture of the compound [Ni(DAB^Mes)₂] ( 2 ) and starting material [Ni(COD)₂]. The crystallographically characterized, diamagnetic complex 2 can be obtained in a stoichiometric reaction of [Ni(COD)₂] and two equivalents of DAB^Mes. This reaction can be accelerated by addition of 1‐chloro‐fluorobenzene or methyl iodide. In the presence of 1‐chloro‐fluorobenzene, [Ni(DAB^Mes)(COD)] ( 3 ) is available via reaction of [Ni(COD)₂] and one equivalent of DAB^Mes. The crystallographically characterized complex 3 reacts with diphenylacetylene to afford [Ni(DAB^Mes)(Ph‐C≡C‐Ph)] ( 4 ). A long‐wavelength absorption band in the UV‐Vis spectrum of this compound has to be assigned to a mixed MLCT/LL′CT transition, as quantum chemical calculations reveal.     

Crystal structure and DFT analyses of a pentacoordinated PCP pincer nickel(II) complex

The reaction of NiCl₂ with 1,3‐bis[(diphenylphosphanyl)methyl]hexahydropyrimidine in the presence of 2,6‐dimethylphenyl isocyanide and KPF₆ afforded a new pentacoordinated PCP pincer Ni^II complex, namely {1,3‐bis[(diphenylphosphanyl)methyl]hexahydropyrimidin‐2‐yl‐κN²}(2,6‐dimethylphenyl isocyanide‐κC)nickel(II) hexafluoridophosphate 0.70‐hydrate, [Ni(C₉H₉N)(C₃₀H₃₀ClN₂P₂)]PF₆·0.7H₂O or [NiCl{C(NCH₂PPh₂)₂(CH₂)₃‐κ³P,C,P′}(Xylyl‐NC)]PF₆·0.7H₂O, in very good yield. Its X‐ray structure showed a distorted square‐pyramidal geometry and the compound does not undergo dissociation in solution, as shown by variable‐temperature NMR and UV–Vis studies. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations provided an insight into the bonding; the nickel dsp²‐hybridized orbitals form the basal plane and the nearly pure p orbital forms the axial bond. This is consistent with the NBO (natural bond orbital) analysis of analogous nickel(II) complexes.     

Nickel Tetracarbonyl as Starting Material for the Synthesis of NHC-stabilized Nickel(II) Allyl Complexes

A novel, useful in situ synthesis for NHC nickel allyl halide complexes [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)] starting from [Ni(CO)₄], NHC and allyl halides is presented. The reaction of [Ni(CO)₄] with (i) one equivalent of the corresponding NHC and (ii) with an excess of the corresponding allyl chloride at room temperature leads with elimination of carbon monoxide to complexes of the type [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)]. This approach was used to synthesize the complexes [Ni(tBu₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 2 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 3 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 4 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (H)-C (Me)₂)(Br)] ( 5 ), [Ni(Me₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 6 ), and [Ni(EtiPrIm^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Cl)] ( 7 ). The complexes 1 to 7 were characterized using NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and the molecular structures are provided for 2 and 7 . The allyl nickel complexes 1 – 7 are stereochemically non-rigid in solution due to (i) NHC rotation about the nickel-carbon bond, (ii) allyl rotation about the Ni–η³-allyl axis and (iii) π–σ–π allyl isomerization processes. The allyl halide complexes can be methylated as was demonstrated by the methylation of a number of the complexes [Ni(NHC)(η³-allyl)(X)] with methylmagnesium chloride or methyllithium, which led to isolation of the complexes [Ni(Me₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 8 ), [Ni(tBu₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 9 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 10 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 11 ), [Ni(iPr₂Im)(η³-H₂C -C (H)-C (Me)₂)(Me)] ( 12 ), and [Ni(EtiPrIm^Me)(η³-H₂C -C (Me)-C H₂)(Me)] ( 13 ). These complexes were fully characterized including X-ray molecular structures for 10 and 11 .     

[Ni(terpy)(H2O)]‐trans‐[Ni‐(μ‐CN)2‐(CN)2]n,a one‐dimensional linear tetra­cyano­nickelate chain

The one‐dimensional chain catena‐poly­[[aqua(2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridyl‐κ³N)­nickel(II)]‐μ‐cyano‐κ²N:C‐[bis­(cyano‐κC)nickelate(II)]‐μ‐cyano‐κ²C:N], [Ni(terpy)(H₂O)]‐trans‐[Ni‐μ‐(CN)₂‐(CN)₂]_n or [Ni₂­(CN)₄­(C₁₅H₁₁N₃)(H₂O)], consists of infinite linear chains along the crystallographic [10] direction. The chains are composed of two distinct types of nickel ions, paramagnetic octahedral [Ni(terpy)(H₂O)]²⁺ cations (with twofold crystallographic symmetry) and diamagnetic planar [Ni(CN)₄]^2? anions (with the Ni atom on an inversion center). The [Ni(CN)₄]^2? units act as bidentate ligands bridging through two trans cyano groups thus giving rise to a new example of a trans–trans chain among planar tetra­cyano­nickelate complexes. The coordination geometry of the planar nickel unit is typical of slightly distorted octahedral nickel(II) complexes, but for the [Ni(CN)₄]^2? units, the geometry deviates from a planar configuration due to steric interactions with the ter­pyridine ligands.     

Oxidative Coordination versus C3−C(O)Me Bond Cleavage in Acetylacetonate Iridium Complexes

Iridabicycles [Ir{κ³-N,C,O-(pyC(H)=C(C(O)Me)₂}(Cl)(L−L)](L−L=cod (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene), 1 a ; bipy (bipy=2,2’-bipyridine), 1 b ) have been obtained by oxidative coordination of 3-(pyridine-2-yl-methylene)pentane-2,4-dione L1 , to the complexes [{Ir(μ-Cl)(cod)}₂] and [{Ir(μ-Cl)(coe)₂}₂] (coe=cis-cyclooctene), the latter in the presence of bipy. Remarkably, cleavage of the C³−C(O)Me bond of L1 has instead been achieved in the reaction with [Ir(Cl)(dmb)₂] (dmb=2,3-dimethylbutadiene), yielding a compound formulated as [Ir{κ²-N,C-(pyC(H)C(C(O)Me))}(CO)(μ-Cl)(Me)]₂, 2 . Treatment of dimer 2 with DMSO or PMe₃ produced the complexes[Ir{κ²-N,C-(pyC(H)C(C(O)Me)}(CO)Cl(Me)L] (L=DMSO, 3 a ; PMe₃, 3 b ). Plausible mechanisms for the reactions leading to complexes 1 and 2 are proposed by means of DFT calculations.     

Silylene–Nickel Promoted Cleavage of B−O Bonds: From Catechol Borane to the Hydroborylene Ligand

The first 16 valence electron [bis(NHC)](silylene)Ni⁰ complex 1 , [(^TMSL)ClSi:→Ni(NHC)₂], bearing the acyclic amido‐chlorosilylene (^TMSL)ClSi: (^TMSL=N(SiMe₃)Dipp; Dipp=2,6‐Prⁱ₂C₆H₄) and two NHC ligands (N‐heterocyclic carbene=:C[(Prⁱ)NC(Me)]₂) was synthesized in high yield and structurally characterized. Compound 1 is capable of facile dihydrogen activation under ambient conditions to give the corresponding HSi‐NiH complex 2 . Most notably, 1 reacts with catechol borane to afford the unprecedented hydroborylene‐coordinated (chloro)(silyl)nickel(II) complex 3 , {[cat(^TMSL)Si](Cl)Ni←:BH(NHC)₂}, via the cleavage of two B−O bonds and simultaneous formation of two Si−O bonds. The mechanism for the formation of 3 was rationalized by means of DFT calculations, which highlight the powerful synergistic effects of the Si:→Ni moiety in the breaking of incredibly strong B−O bonds.     

Poly[diaqua(μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ2N:N′)bis(μ‐cyanido‐κ2C:N)bis(cyanido‐κC)nickel(II)copper(II)]: a metal–organic cyanide‐bridged framework

The structure of the title compound, [NiCu(CN)₄(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)₂]_n or [{Cu(H₂O)₂}(μ‐C₁₀H₈N₂)(μ‐CN)₂{Ni(CN)₂}]_n, was shown to be a metal–organic cyanide‐bridged framework, composed essentially of –Cu–4,4′‐bpy–Cu–4,4′‐bpy–Cu– chains (4,4′‐bpy is 4,4′‐bipyridine) linked by [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻ anions. Both metal atoms sit on special positions; the Cu^II atom occupies an inversion center, while the Ni^II atom of the cyanometallate sits on a twofold axis. The 4,4′‐bpy ligand is also situated about a center of symmetry, located at the center of the bridging C—C bond. The scientific impact of this structure lies in the unique manner in which the framework is built up. The arrangement of the –Cu–4,4′‐bpy–Cu–4,4′‐bpy–Cu– chains, which are mutually perpendicular and non‐intersecting, creates large channels running parallel to the c axis. Within these channels, the [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻ anions coordinate to successive Cu^II atoms, forming zigzag –Cu—N[triple‐bond]C—Ni—C[triple‐bond]N—Cu– chains. In this manner, a three‐dimensional framework structure is constructed. To the authors' knowledge, this arrangement has not been observed in any of the many copper(II)–4,4′‐bipyridine framework complexes synthesized to date. The coordination environment of the Cu^II atom is completed by two water molecules. The framework is further strengthened by O—H...N hydrogen bonds involving the water molecules and the symmetry‐equivalent nonbridging cyanide N atoms.     

Distinct Stepwise Reduction of a Nickel?Nickel‐Bonded Compound Containing an α‐Diimine Ligand: From Perpendicular to Coaxial Structures

A nickel? nickel‐bonded complex, [{Ni(μ‐L^.?)}₂] ( 1 ; L=[(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)]₂), was synthesized from reduction of the LNiBr₂ precursor by sodium metal. Further controllable reduction of 1 with 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 equiv of Na, respectively, afforded the singly, doubly, and triply reduced compounds [Na(DME)₃] ? [{Ni(μ‐L^.?)}₂] ( 2 ; DME=1,2‐dimethoxyethane), [Na(Et₂O)]Na[(L^.?)Ni? NiL^2?] ( 3 ), and [Na(Et₂O)]₂Na[L^2?Ni? NiL^2?] ( 4 ). Here L represents the neutral ligand, L^.? denotes its radical monoanion, and L^2? is the dianion. All of the four compounds feature a short Ni? Ni bond from 2.2957(6) to 2.4649(8) Å. Interestingly, they display two different structures: the perpendicular ( 1 and 2 ) and the coaxial ( 3 and 4 ) structure, in which the metal? metal bond axis is perpendicular to or collinear with the axes of the α‐diimine ligands, respectively. The electronic structures, Ni? Ni bonding nature, and energetic comparisons of the two structure types were investigated by DFT computations.     

Ni(bipy)2Ni(CN)4, a new type of one‐dimensional square tetra­cyano complex

The one‐dimensional structure of catena‐poly­[[bis(2,2′‐bi­pyri­dyl‐1κ²N,N′)‐μ‐cyano‐1:2κ²N:C‐di­cyano‐2κ²C‐di­nickel(II)]‐μ‐cyano‐C:N], [Ni₂(CN)₄(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂]_n, consists of infinite zigzag chains running parallel to the c axis. The chains are composed of paramagnetic [Ni(bipy)₂]²⁺ cations (bricks; nickel on a twofold axis) linked by diamagnetic [Ni(CN)₄]^2? anions (mortar; nickel on an inversion center) via bridging cyano groups. The bridging cyano groups occupy cis positions in the cation and trans positions in the anion, giving rise to a new previously unknown CT‐type chain (i.e. cis–trans‐type) among square tetra­cyano complexes. The coordination polyhedron of the paramagnetic Ni atom (twofold symmetry) is a slightly deformed octahedron with the two Ni—N(bipy) bonds in cis positions being somewhat longer [2.112 (3) Å] than the remaining four Ni—N bonds with a mean value of 2.065 (6) Å. The bond distances and angles in the anion have typical values.