Mechanism of reaction of alkyl radicals with (Ni(II)L)2+ complexes in aqueous solutions

The reactions of methyl radicals, CH(3), with the macrocyclic complexes Ni(II)L(1-5) (L(1-5) = cyclam derivatives, vide infra) and Ni(II)edta in aqueous solutions were studied. Methyl radicals react with all these nickel complexes, forming intermediates with Ni(III)-C sigma-bonds. The L(m)Ni(III)-CH(3) complexes are formed in equilibria processes with relatively fast forward rate constants of k(f) > 1 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) (except in the case of NiL(2)-trans I cyclam, where the reaction is slower). In all cases the decomposition of the transient complexes occurs via the homolytic cleavage of the metal-carbon sigma-bond. When the homolysis is relatively slow, an isomerisation process of the transient is also observed with the exception of NiL(2), where no isomerisation was observed. The results suggest that the strength of the Ni(III)-CH(3)sigma-bond is mainly affected by steric hindrance.