Carbon-sulphur cross coupling reactions catalyzed by nickel-based coordination polymers based on metalloligands

This work illustrates two Ni²⁺ based coordination polymers (CPs, 1-Ni and 2-Ni) synthesized using two related Co³⁺ based metalloligands offering appended arylcarboxylate groups. The crystal structure of 1-Ni displays a porous 3D network having well-defined major and minor pores whereas 2-Ni exhibits a somewhat densely packed structure. Both CPs supported the exchange of coordinated water molecules and the inclusion of iodine within their porous structure whereas binding studies illustrated that the Ni(ii) ion in these CPs can bind thiophenol, a reagent used in the C-S cross coupling reactions. The two CPs functioned as the reusable heterogeneous catalysts for the C-S cross coupling reactions between substituted aromatic halides and thiophenol as well as cyclohexanethiol and ethanethiol.