Aerobic epoxidation of olefins catalysed by square-planar nickel(II) complexes of bis-N,N'-disubstituted oxamides and related ligands

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)00321-9

The new square-planar nickel(II) complexes of o-phenylenebis (N'- methyloxamidate) and related ligands catalyse the aerobic epoxidation of olefins with co-oxidation of pivalaldehyde; the modulation of catalytic activity by substituents along this series of metal complexes points out the role of high-valent nickel(IV)-oxo species as the putative intermediate in these oxygen atom transfer reactions.