Reactivity of the Ni-->B dative sigma-bond in the nickel boratrane compounds [kappa4-B(mimBut)3]NiX (X=Cl, OAc, NCS, N3): synthesis of a series of B-functionalized tris(2-mercapto-1-tert-butylimidazolyl)borato complexes, [YTmBut)]NiZ

The nickel boratrane complexes kappa4-B(mimBut))3]Ni(kappa1-OAc), kappa4-B(mimBut)3]NiNCS and kappa4-B(mimBut)3]NiN3 are obtained via metathesis of the chloride ligand of kappa4-B(mimBut)3]NiCl with TlOAc, KSCN and NaN3, respectively; the Ni-->B bond in these complexes is a site of reactivity, thereby providing a means of synthesizing nickel complexes that feature B-functionalized tris(mercaptoimidazolyl)borate derivatives, YTmBut]NiZ.