Synthesis and catalytic activity of nickel(II) complexes of CNC pincer-type N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

• A new type of nickel(II) complexes containing CNC pincer-type bis-NHC ligands was synthesized.
• One of the complexes was characterized by X-ray diffraction.
• The complexes showed high efficiency in catalyzing Suzuki cross-coupling reactions.

Air- and moisture-stable nickel(II) complexes 2a–c of CNC pincer-type N-heterocyclic carbene ligands have been prepared from the corresponding imidazolium salts by carbene–transfer reaction of a silver-NHC complex with Ni(DME)Cl2 (DME = dimethoxylethane). Pincer complexes 2a–c are characterized by mass and NMR spectroscopy. The structure of 2a is also identified by X-ray diffraction analysis. Pincer complex 2a has been shown to be active catalyst for the Suzuki coupling reactions.

A new type of nickel(II) complexes containing CNC pincer-type bis-NHC ligands with an anionic diarylamindo backbone has been synthesized and characterized.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide