An Electron-Poor Nickel Diphosphine Complex: Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of Ni(dFppe)₂

Area of Science:

• Organometallic Chemistry
• Coordination Chemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• The ligand 1,2-bis[bis(pentafluorophenyl)phosphino]ethane (dFppe) is known to influence electronic properties and reactivity in palladium (Pd) and platinum (Pt) complexes.
• Nickel (Ni) systems featuring the dFppe ligand have not been extensively studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel nickel(0) complex with the dFppe ligand.
• To investigate the properties and reactivity of the new nickel complex, particularly in C-C cross-coupling reactions.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of the nickel(0) complex [Ni(dFppe)2] leveraging the lability of Ni(CDT) (CDT = trans,trans,trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene).
• Structural and spectroscopic characterization of the synthesized complex.
• Evaluation of air stability and ligand substitution behavior.
• Assessment of reactivity in C-C cross-coupling chemistry.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis and characterization of the novel nickel(0) complex [Ni(dFppe)2].
• The complex exhibits specific air stability and ligand substitution characteristics.
• Demonstrated reactivity of the [Ni(dFppe)2] complex in C-C cross-coupling reactions.

Conclusions:

• The study introduces a new dFppe-ligated nickel(0) complex, expanding the known chemistry of this ligand class.
• The synthesized nickel complex shows potential for applications in catalysis, particularly in C-C bond formation.