Journal of the American Chemical Society
Article
compared to the solid-state structure, hinting at a more
complicated effect than crystal packing (see the Supporting
Information, Table S1). The Mulliken spin population analysis
showed 90% of the spin population localized on Ni, mainly in
the d orbitals (see Table S6). This is similar to that of cationic
Scheme 2. Syntheses of Ni(I) Complexes
+
Ni(COD)2 and in line with previously reported metal-
centered radicals.60 The Ni−CCOD distances, experimental
+
and calculated, were compared to those of Ni(COD)2 ,
showing on average shortened bonds (see Table S1).56 This is
presumably due to the higher back-donation compared to the
cationic complex.
To confirm the d9 configuration of complex 2, we performed
EPR spectroscopy (Figure 1). The continuous-wave (cw) EPR
spectrum of complex 2 (Figure 1b), recorded in toluene at 20
K, revealed a slightly rhombic g tensor with gx, gy < gz, in line
with an approximate |x2−y2⟩ ground state of a 3d9 species with
S = 1/2. The fitted principal values of the g tensor (gx = 2.020,
gx = 2.039, and gz = 2.44) are surprisingly similar to those of
Ni(COD)2 (2.047, 2.061, and 2.390).56 Schwab et al.
+
reported a minor second component with smaller gz and
larger gz strain both in frozen solution and in a powder.60,61
Because signals with large g strain may go unnoticed in the
derivative-mode CW EPR spectra and are better seen in
absorption spectra, we acquired a field-swept echo-detected
EPR spectrum at 10 K. This spectrum (Figure 1c) showed
similar values of the g tensor to those of the frozen solution.62
It did, however, indeed contain a second component with
smaller gz and larger gz strain that in our case turned out to be
the majority component (64%).
All the complexes were structurally characterized by single-
crystal X-ray analysis (Figure 2). Complexes 3 and 4 feature a
It is worth noting that complex 2 is a rare example of a
structurally characterized Ni(I)−olefin species, which have
long been sought after.55,56 Interestingly, complex 2 shows
higher stability both in solution and in solid phase when
compared to that of halido analogues, which decompose within
minutes in the absence of free COD.51 This makes complex 2
an ideal candidate to become a general source of Ni(I) in
organonickel chemistry.
Once we had fully characterized complex 2, bearing a labile
alkene fragment, we wondered whether this complex could be
used as a central platform for the synthesis of both established
and new Ni(I) complexes bearing a broad diversity of ligands
and coordination numbers. To demonstrate its versatility, we
evaluated three general classes of ligands that are widely
employed in catalysis: phosphine, N-heterocyclic carbene
(NHC), and pyridine. In situ generated complex 2 smoothly
reacted with each ligand to generate the corresponding
products in good to excellent yields (Scheme 2). Both
bidentate phosphines, dcype (1,2-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)-
ethane) and dppe (1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), gave
the corresponding nickel(I) species, 3 and 4, in 81% and 89%
isolated yield regardless of the change in electronics. The
reaction with a monodentate NHC ligand also resulted in good
yield (complex 5, 80%), giving access to a two-coordinate 13-
electron compound. This unusually low coordination number
is of great interest due to the high propensity of such species to
undergo oxidative addition reactions.45 This class of complexes
has been previously only accessed via reduction with KC8 or
other strong reductants of the nickel(II) halo precursor in a
multistep synthesis, clearly highlighting the unique modularity
of our new synthetic approach.27,41,64 Finally, the efficiency of
this protocol was also tested on a tridentate nitrogen-based
ligand, terpy (2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine), allowing the isolation of
complex 6 in 51% yield.
Figure 2. Molecular structures of 3 and 4 (A and B, respectively, top)
and 5 and 6 (C and D, respectively, bottom) in the solid state.
Ellipsoids are drawn at 50% probability; hydrogen atoms are omitted
for clarity. Selected bonds and angles (four independent moieties in
5): Ni−O[Å]: 3, 1.834(4); 4, 1.808(2); 5, 1.805(2), 1.818(3),
1.800(2), 1.820(3); 6, 1.915(3). C(1)−O−Ni [deg]: 3, 164.2(9); 4,
172.1(2); 5, 140.8(2), 140.9(2), 142.2(2), 138.6(2); 6, 129.7(3).
three-coordinate planar geometry with similar Ni−O bond
length (1.834(4) Å for complex 3, 1.808(2) Å for complex 4)
with, however, a different C(1)−O−Ni angle (164.2(9)° for
complex 3 vs 172.1(2)° for complex 4). The P−Ni bond
distance and angles are in agreement with previously reported
ones.65 The solid-state structure of complex 5 shows four
symmetry-independent molecules in the asymmetric unit
arranged in a pseudo-linear two-coordinate geometry, with an
average Ni−O bond distance of 1.81 Å and an average O−Ni−
C(2) angle of 168.0°. The C(1)−O−Ni angle has an average
of 140.6°, which is consistent with an sp2-hybridized oxygen
atom and the previous example reported by Tilley and co-
10644
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 10642−10648