Cationic and alkynyl complexes of the trans(mesityl)bis(phenyldimethylphosphine)nickel(II) moiety

A cationic complex, trans-(mesityl)Ni(PPhMe₂)₂(NCMe)]ClO₄ (IIa), has been prepared rom trans-(mesityl)Ni(PPhMe₂)₂Br and silver perchlorate in acetone/acetonitrile. IIa reacts with several neutral ligands to give trans-(mesityl)Ni(PPhMe₂)₂L]ClO₄ (L = 2-pic, 3-pic, 3,4-lut, 2,5-lut, methyl isonicotinate, N-ethyl imidazole, PPhMe₂, P(Ome)₃), with halide anions to give trans-(mesityl)Ni(PPhMe₂)₂X (X = Cl, NNN), and with terminal alkynes in the presence of triethylamine to give trans-(mesityl)Ni(PPhMe₂)₂CCR (R = H, Me, CH₂CH₂Oh, Ph, C₆H₄OMe-p). Some related alkynyl complexes trans-CCl₂CClNi(PPhMe₂)₂CCR (R = H, Me, Ph, C₆H₄OMe-p) and trans-{(o-MeO)₂C₆H₃}Ni(PPhMe₂)₂CCr (R = H, Ph) also have been prepared from the corresponding trans-R′Ni(PPhMe₂)₂Cl, silver perchlorate and HCCR in acetonitrile-triethylamine. trans-(Mesityl)Ni(PPhMe₂)₂CCH reacts with methanol in the presence of perchloric acid to give a cationic carbne complex, trans-(mesityl)Ni(PPhMe₂)₂{C(OMe)Me}]ClO₄.