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Published on: October 18, 2019
A two-coordinate nickel imido complex that effects C−H amination
Carl A Laskowski1, Alexander J M Miller, Gregory L Hillhouse
1Gordon Center for Integrative Science, Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States.
A novel nickel imido complex with a two-coordinate nickel center was synthesized. This complex exhibits a unique Ni═N bond and undergoes reactions like nitrene transfer and C−H insertion.
Area of Science:
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Low-coordinate metal complexes offer unique reactivity.
- Nickel imido complexes are valuable synthetic intermediates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel, exceptionally low coordinate nickel imido complex.
- To investigate the electronic structure and reactivity of this complex.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis via N2 elimination from an aryl azide.
- X-ray crystallography for solid-state structure determination.
- Density functional theory (DFT) calculations for electronic structure analysis.
Main Results:
- Isolation and structural characterization of a two-coordinate nickel imido complex, (IPr*)Ni═N(dmp).
- Experimental and computational evidence for a strong Ni═N multiple bond with Ni(dπ)−N(pπ) character.
- Demonstration of nitrene-group transfer with CO and C−H insertion with ethene.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized nickel imido complex possesses a unique electronic structure and reactivity profile.
- This complex serves as a versatile platform for exploring new chemical transformations.
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