Synthesis and catalytic activity of novel Ni-N complexes

A series of nickel complexes with 1,3-xylylenediamine, 1,2-diaminobenzene and 1,2-aminobenzylamine were first synthesized and characterized. The reaction of these amines with Ni(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O and NiCl₂ · 6H₂O in methanol or tetrahydrofuran resulted in the production of four novel nickel complexes I, II, III, and IV. The structure of each complex was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Each complex was also characterized using elemental analysis, ¹H NMR and IR. The complexes were then used to catalyze the Henry reaction, and good catalytic results (65?C99%) were achieved. The catalytic activity of the complexes was determined by ¹H NMR.