Late transition metal complexes bearing nitrogen-containing ligands have many applications in biotechnology or industrial catalysis. In this thesis, we react two nitrogen-containing tridentate ligands with some late transition metal salts to yield complexes (1)-(18). Besides spectroscopic characterization, complexes (3), (5)-(7), (8), (10), (12)-(16) yielded crystal structures analyzed using X-ray single crystal diffraction. From crystal structure of complexes (3), (5)- (7), we concluded that the reaction of ligand and Cu(£L£L) salts always gave the CuLX2 products. In Ni series, structures of different coordination types were obtained by using different crystal-growing methods. Crystals obtained using diffusion method take on the form of MLX2 while different structures of complexes (8), (10) were obtained using double layer method. Judging from the result of ESI-Mass analyses, complexes (8) and (10) were both of the dimeric form[NiL1Cl(£g-Cl)]2. However complex (10) was shown by X-ray single crystal to be [NiL 2(H2O)2 Cl]Cl. This could be the hydration product from [NiL1Cl(£g-Cl)]2.

The late transition metal complexes containing sulfide ligands have trem- endous applications not only in biochemistry but also in industrial catalysis. We have successfully synthesized four different bidentate ligands, 2- (Benzylidene)benzenethiol(NS-1), 2-[2,6-(Dimethylbenzylidene)]benzenethi- ol(NS-2), 2-(2-Chloro-1-methylethylidene)benzenethiol(NS-3) and 2-(Diphe- nylphosphanyl)benzenethiol(PS), and five tridentate ligands, N-{N-[2-(Diph- enylphosphino)benzylidene]-2-sec-butylethylsulfide}(PNS-1), N-{N-[2-(Di- phenylphosphino)benzylamino]-2-sec-butylethylsulfide}(PNS-2), 2-[2-(Diph- enylphosphino)phenylsulfanylmethyl]pyridine(PSN-1), 2-[2-(Diphenylphos- phino)phenylsulfanyl]ethylamine(PSN-2) and 2-(Diphenylphosphino)phenyl- sulfanylacetonitrile(PSN-3). These ligands reacted with the late transition metal (Zn, Ag, Pd, and Ni) salts, and produced complexes 1-12. Besides their spectra, we also obtained crystal structures of complexes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. We found that the PNS tridentate ligands had different bonding modes in zinc, silver, palladium, and nickel complexes. For examples, in zinc complexes 1 and 2 only P and S atoms were coordinated to the metal while all P, N, and S atoms were coordinated to the Pd metal in Pd complexes. It indicated that thiolether prefers to coordinate to palladium but not to zinc in our cases. When PNS-2 went through different reaction routes, two silver complexes 4 and 5 with different coordination modes a M2L2 type dinuclear complex and a ML2 type mononuclear complex were obtained.. When reacting PNS-2 with nickel, we obtained an unique tetranuclear nickel complex 6. PSN-1 showed two different coordinate modes in complexes 8-10 while PSN-2 and silver produced a dinuclear silver complex 11 that resembled complex 4. PSN-3 coordinated to Pd ion by phosphorus and sulfide atoms. As such, we demonstrated the various coordinated modes in PNS and PSN ligands. Finally PS bidentate ligand reacted with zinc salt produced complex 7 with one oxidized ligand. The variable temperature NMR experiment was also used to probe the structural change that occurred in solution state for 3.

Late transition metal complexes bearing nitrogen-containing ligands may act as catalyst in biotechnology or industrial catalysis. Imidazole is one of the most common biofunctional ligands that play critical roles in meta1loenzymes, since the imidazole moiety of the histidyl residues often constitutes all or part of the binding sites of various transition metal centers. In this work, some new zinc(II), copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes containing the imidazolate and pyridyl moieties incorporated in the imine (ImPyI) and amine (ImPyA) ligands were obtained. Different methods of crystallization yield crystals of complexes (2), (6), (8), (9), (10), (17) and (18). Subsequent structural analyses revealed their interesting structures. In zinc(II) and nickel(II) complexes, facial isomers were isolated while none of the meridional isomers were observed. Particularly interesting is the zinc(II) complexes where two facial complexes with different geometries were identified. The mixture of the different nitrogen donor groups in the same ligand provides handy comparison of these structural variations due to the different nature of these donor groups. One tridentate ligand with bromide substitution on the imidazolate and a tetradentate ligand with an additional pyridyl group were synthesized as an extension of this work. One crystal structure of each of the corresponding metal complex bearing these ligands is also discussed here. Most metal complexes are consolidated by extensive weak hydrogen bonds among them in the crystal lattices.

Treatment of the diethyl ester of o-phenylenebis(oxamic acid) (opbaH2Et2, 1) with 5/6 equivalent of MeNH2 in abs. EtOH results in the exclusive formation of the ethyl ester of o-phenylene(N′-methyl oxamide)(oxamic acid) (opooH3EtMe, 2) in ca. 50% yield. Treatment of 2 with four equivalents of [Me4N]OH followed by the addition of Cu(ClO4)2·6H2O gave [Me4N]2[Cu(opooMe)]·H2O (3A) in ca. 80% yield. As 3A appears to be a hygroscopic solid, the related [nBu4N]+ salts [nBu4N]2[M(opooMe)]·H2O (M = Cu (3B), Ni (4)) have been synthesized. By addition of two equivalents of [Cu(pmdta)(NO3)2] to a MeCN solution of 3B the novel asymmetric trinuclear complex [Cu3(opooMe)(pmdta)2](NO3)2 (5) could be obtained in ca. 90% yield. Compounds 2, 3A, 3B, 4 and 5 have been characterized by elemental analysis and NMR/IR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the solid state structures of 3A in the form of [Me4N]2[Cu(opooMe)]·MeOH (3A′), 3B in the form of [nBu4N]2[Cu(opooMe)] (3B′), 4 in the form of [nBu4N]2[Ni(opooMe)]·1.25H2O (4′) and 5 in the form of [Cu3(opooMe)(pmdta)2] (NO3)2·3MeCN (5′), respectively, have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. By controlled cocrystallization, diamagnetically diluted 3B (1%) in the host lattice of 4 (99%) in the form of single crystals have been made available, allowing single crystal EPR studies to extract all components of the g-factor and the tensors of onsite CuA and transferred NA hyperfine interaction. Out of these studies the spin density distribution of the [Cu(opooMe)]2− complex fragment could be determined. The magnetic properties of 5 were studied by susceptibility measurements versus temperature. An intramolecular J parameter of −65 cm−1 has been obtained, unexpectedly, as 5 should possess two different J values due to its two different spacers between the adjacent CuII ions, namely an oxamate (C2NO3) and an oxamidate (C2N2O2) fragment. This unexpected result is explained by a summarizing discussion of the experimentally obtained EPR results (spin density distribution) of 3B, the geometries of the terminal [Cu(pmdta)]2+ fragments of 5 determined by X-ray crystallographic studies and accompanying quantum chemical calculations of the spin density distribution of the mononuclear [Cu(opooMe)]2− and of the magnetic exchange interactions of trinuclear [Cu3(opooMe)(pmdta)2]2+ complex fragments. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Triazenes are a class of compounds characterized by the presence of a diazoamino functional group (N=N N) showing remarkable ability to support the stereochemical requisites of a wide variety of metal transition complexes. They act as versatile ligands in coordination chemistry when deprotonated and have relevant biological and synthetic porperties. This work presents the synthesis and investigation of molecular and crystal structure of a new series of monotriazenes [3-(4-phenyldiazenyl)-1-(2-fluorophenyl)triazene (2b); 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-phenyldiazenyl)triazeno (2c), 1-(2-bromophenyl)-3-(4-phenyldiazenyl)triazene (2d); 3-(4-phenyldiazenyl)-1-(2-iodophenyl) triazene (2e); 1,3-bis-(3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoate)triazene (2g)] and substituted 1,4-bis (phenyltriazenyl)butanes, C6H5N(H)=N-N(CH2)4-N=NN(H)C6H5, [1,4-bis(4-ethyl-benzoato triazenyl) butane (5a), 1,4-bis(2-fluorophenyltriazenyl)butane (5b), 1,4-bis(2-clorophenyltriazenyl)butane (5c), 1,4-bis(2-bromophenyltriazenyl)butane (5d), 1,4-bis(2-iodophenyltriazenyl)butane (5e), 1,4-bis(4-amidophenyltriazenyll)butane (5f)]. The insertion of groups on phenyl rings attached to the triazene chains makes the environment significantly more interesting coordination providing the supramolecular array through noncovalent intermolecular interactions and self-organizatinal units of primary molecule. The metal ions used for complexation are salts of Ni2+, Cu2+ and Pd2+ and they were chosen due to the attracting biological relevance, magnetic properties, catalytic yielding. Nine metal complexes unpublished were synthesized [trans-[PdII(C6H5NNC6H4NNNC6H4Cl)2(C5H5N)2] (3c) [(PdII (R1R2C6H3NNNC6H3R1R2)(PPh3)2Cl) DMSO] [R1 = 4-C(O)OCH3, R2 = 3-OCH3] (3g) [CuII (RC6H5NNN(CH2)4NNNC6H5R)]2 [R = C2H5C(O)O (6a), R = F (6b), R = NH2C(O) (6f)], [NiII (RC6H5NNN(CH2)4NNNC6H5R)]2 [R = F (7b) R = Cl (7c) R = Br (7d) R = NH2C(O) (7f)]. The synthesis and characterization of these compounds is justified by the exploration of the reactivity, the coordinative behavior and by the understanding of the interactions between different ligands and metal centers. The structural analysis of the synthesized compounds by X-ray diffraction on single crystal in the solid state were performed for characterization of interactions in the crystal. Thus, a thorough understanding of the relationship between the crystal structure and supramolecular organization is analyzed. Besides the structural analysis of compounds, elemental analysis CHN, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopies and mass spectrometry were also carried out for characterization. The physical chemical properties were investigated through thermogravimetric analysis and magnetic susceptibility. / Triazenos são importantes membros da família de compostos nitrogenados de cadeia aberta, caracterizados por conter o grupo funcional [N═N─N] e apresentam diferentes propriedades de coordenação a metais de transição. São compostos fracamente ácidos e quando desprotonados atuam como ótimos ligantes na química de coordenação apresentando grande importância sintética e biológica. Nessa tese, foi inicialmente desenvolvida a síntese de uma série inédita de compostos triazenos monocatenados [3-(4-fenildiazenil)-1-(2-fluorofenil)triazeno (2b); 1-(2-clorofenil)-3-(4-fenildiazenil)triazeno (2c); 1-(2-bromofenil)-3-(4-fenildiazenil)triazeno (2d); 3-(4-fenildiazenil)-1-(2-iodofenil)triazeno (2e); 1,3-bis(3-metoxi-4-metilbenzoato)triazeno (2g)] e de compostos triazenos biscatenados derivados do 1,4-bis(feniltriazenido)butano, C6H5N(H)N=N-(CH2)4-N=N-N(H)C6H5, [1,4-bis(etil-4-benzoatotriazenil) butano (5a); 1,4-bis(2-fluorofeniltriazenido)butano (5b); 1,4-bis(2-clorofeniltriazenido)butano (5c); 1,4-bis(2-bromofeniltriazenido)butano (5d); 1,4-bis(2-iodofeniltriazenido)butano (5e); 1,4-bis(4-amidofeniltriazenido)butano (5f)]. A inserção de grupamentos substituintes nos anéis fenila na cadeia triazenídica tornam o ambiente de coordenação significativamente mais interessante, propiciando o aumento da ocorrência de interações intermoleculares não covalentes e impondo a auto-organização de unidades moleculares primárias no estado sólido. Os metais escolhidos para complexação foram sais de Ni2+, Cu2+ e Pd2+ em virtude de atraírem atenção como objeto de estudos relacionados com medicina, propriedades magnéticas e catálise obtendo-se como resultados deste trabalho nove complexos metálicos inéditos [trans-[PdII(C6H5NNC6H4NNNC6H4Cl)2(C5H5N)2] (3c); [(PdII(R1R2C6H3NNNC6H3R1R2)(PPh3)2Cl)·DMSO] [R1 = 4-C(O)OCH3, R2 = 3-OCH3] (3g); [CuII(RC6H5NNN(CH2)4NNNC6H5R)]2 [R = C2H5C(O)O (6a); R = F (6b); R = NH2C(O) (6f)] ; [NiII(RC6H5NNN(CH2)4NNNC6H5R)]2 [R = F (7b); R = Cl (7c); R = Br (7d); R = NH2C(O) (7f)]. A síntese, e a caracterização desses novos compostos estão relacionadas à exploração da reatividade, ao comportamento coordenativo e a compreensão das interações entre os diferentes centros metálicos e os ligantes. Efetuou-se um estudo estrutural no estado sólido para a caracterização das interações presentes nas estruturas cristalinas dos compostos sintetizados e a ferramenta utilizada foi à difração de raios X em monocristal. Dessa forma aprofundou-se a compreensão da relação entre a estrutura cristalina e sua organização supramolecular. Além do método de difração de raios X de monocristal os compostos foram caracterizados por espectroscopia de infravermelho, espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear, 1H e 13C, espectroscopia ultravioleta e visível, espectrometria de massas e análise elementar CHN. As propriedades físico-químicas foram investigadas através de análise termogravimétrica e susceptibilidade magnética.

Le sujet de cette thèse porte sur la synthèse de ligands de type bis-NHC (carbène N-Hétérocyclique) et leur réactivité vis-À-Vis des complexes d’argent(I), de cuivre(I) et de nickel(II).Après avoir exploré les différentes méthodologies de synthèse des complexes de nickel(II) bis-NHC, le but était de tester leurs activités en catalyse d’oligomérisation de l’éthylène. Une série de nouveaux complexes d’argent(I) et de cuivre(I) fut synthétisée. Cinq voies furent testées pour la formation de complexes de nickel. Les résultats les plus probants furent obtenus par transmétallation à partir des complexes d’iodure ou de bromure d’argent(I). / The purpose of this work was the synthesis of bis-NHC (N-Heterocyclic carbene) ligands, theformation of the corresponding silver(I), copper(I) and nickel(II) complexes and the assessment ofthe catalytic activity of the bis-NHC nickel(II) complexes in ethylene oligomerization. A series of new bis-NHC silver(I) and copper(I) complexes was synthesized. Five different synthetic routes were tested for the formation of nickel(II) bis-NHC complexes. The most significant results were obtained by transmetalation from the silver(I) iodide or bromide complexes.

Treatment of the diethyl ester of o-phenylenebis(oxamic acid) (opbaH2Et2, 1) with 5/6 equivalent of MeNH2 in abs. EtOH results in the exclusive formation of the ethyl ester of o-phenylene(N′-methyl oxamide)(oxamic acid) (opooH3EtMe, 2) in ca. 50% yield. Treatment of 2 with four equivalents of [Me4N]OH followed by the addition of Cu(ClO4)2·6H2O gave [Me4N]2[Cu(opooMe)]·H2O (3A) in ca. 80% yield. As 3A appears to be a hygroscopic solid, the related [nBu4N]+ salts [nBu4N]2[M(opooMe)]·H2O (M = Cu (3B), Ni (4)) have been synthesized. By addition of two equivalents of [Cu(pmdta)(NO3)2] to a MeCN solution of 3B the novel asymmetric trinuclear complex [Cu3(opooMe)(pmdta)2](NO3)2 (5) could be obtained in ca. 90% yield. Compounds 2, 3A, 3B, 4 and 5 have been characterized by elemental analysis and NMR/IR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the solid state structures of 3A in the form of [Me4N]2[Cu(opooMe)]·MeOH (3A′), 3B in the form of [nBu4N]2[Cu(opooMe)] (3B′), 4 in the form of [nBu4N]2[Ni(opooMe)]·1.25H2O (4′) and 5 in the form of [Cu3(opooMe)(pmdta)2] (NO3)2·3MeCN (5′), respectively, have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. By controlled cocrystallization, diamagnetically diluted 3B (1%) in the host lattice of 4 (99%) in the form of single crystals have been made available, allowing single crystal EPR studies to extract all components of the g-factor and the tensors of onsite CuA and transferred NA hyperfine interaction. Out of these studies the spin density distribution of the [Cu(opooMe)]2− complex fragment could be determined. The magnetic properties of 5 were studied by susceptibility measurements versus temperature. An intramolecular J parameter of −65 cm−1 has been obtained, unexpectedly, as 5 should possess two different J values due to its two different spacers between the adjacent CuII ions, namely an oxamate (C2NO3) and an oxamidate (C2N2O2) fragment. This unexpected result is explained by a summarizing discussion of the experimentally obtained EPR results (spin density distribution) of 3B, the geometries of the terminal [Cu(pmdta)]2+ fragments of 5 determined by X-ray crystallographic studies and accompanying quantum chemical calculations of the spin density distribution of the mononuclear [Cu(opooMe)]2− and of the magnetic exchange interactions of trinuclear [Cu3(opooMe)(pmdta)2]2+ complex fragments. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Cette thèse décrit la synthèse, la caractérisation, les réactivités, et les propriétés physiques de complexes divalents et trivalents de Ni formés à partir de nouveaux ligands «pincer» de type POCN. Les ligands POCN de type amine sont préparés d’une façon simple et efficace via l’amination réductrice de 3-hydroxybenzaldéhyde avec NaBH4 et plusieurs amines, suivie par la phosphination de l’amino alcool résultant pour installer la fonction phosphinite (OPR2); le ligand POCN de type imine 1,3-(i-Pr)2PC6H4C(H)=N(CH2Ph) est préparé de façon similaire en faisant usage de PhCH2NH2 en l’absence de NaBH4. La réaction de ces ligands «pincer» de type POCN avec NiBr2(CH3CN)x en présence d’une base résulte en un bon rendement de la cyclométalation du lien C-H situé en ortho aux fonctions amine et phosphinite. Il fut découvert que la base est essentielle pour la propreté et le haut rendement de la formation des complexes «pincer» désirés. Nous avons préparé des complexes «pincer» plan- carrés de type POCN, (POCNRR΄)NiBr, possédant des fonctions amines secondaires et tertiaires qui démontrent des réactivités différentes selon les substituants R et R΄. Par exemple, les complexes possédant des fonctions amines tertiaires ArCH2NR2 (NR2= NMe2, NEt2, and morpholinyl) démontrent des propriétés rédox intéressantes et pourraient être convertis en leurs analogues trivalents (POCNR2)NiBr2 lorsque réagis avec Br2 ou N-bromosuccinimide (NBS). Les complexes trivalents paramagnétiques à 17 électrons adoptent une géométrie de type plan-carré déformée, les atomes de Br occupant les positions axiale et équatoriale. Les analyses «DSC» et «TGA» des ces composés ont démontré qu’ils sont thermiquement stables jusqu’à ~170 °C; tandis que la spectroscopie d’absorption en solution a démontré qu’ils se décomposent thermiquement à beaucoup plus basse température pour regénérer les complexes divalents ne possédant qu’un seul Br; l’encombrement stérique des substitutants amines accélère cette route de décomposition de façon significative. Les analogues NMe2 et N(morpholinyl) de ces espèces de NiIII sont actifs pour catalyser la réaction d’addition de Kharasch, de CX4 à des oléfines telles que le styrène, tandis qu’il fut découvert que l’analogue le moins thermiquement stable (POCNEt2)Ni est complètement inerte pour catalyser cette réaction. Les complexes (POCNRH)NiBr possédant des fonctions amines secondaires permettent l’accès à des fonctions amines substituées de façon non symétrique via leur réaction avec des halogénures d’alkyle. Un autre avantage important de ces complexes réside dans la possibilité de déprotonation pour préparer des complexes POCN de type amide. De telles tentatives pour déprotoner les fonctions NRH nous ont permis de préparer des espèces dimériques possédant des ligands amides pontants. La nature dimérique des ces complexes [P,C,N,N-(2,6-(i-Pr)2PC6H3CH2NR)Ni]2 (R= PhCH2 et Ph) fut établie par des études de diffraction des rayons-X qui ont démontré différentes géométries pour les cœurs Ni2N2 selon le substituant N : l’analogue (PhCH2)N possède une orientation syn des substitutants benzyles et un arrangement ressemblant à celui du cyclobutane du Ni et des atomes d’azote, tandis que l’analogue PhN adopte un arrangement de type diamant quasi-planaire des atomes du Ni et des atomes d’azote et une orientation anti des substituants phényles. Les espèces dimériques ne se dissocient pas en présence d’alcools, mais elles promouvoient l’alcoolyse catalytique de l’acrylonitrile. De façon intéressante, les rendements de ces réactions sont plus élevés avec les alcools possédant des fonctions O-H plus acides, avec un nombre de «turnover» catalytique pouvant atteindre 2000 dans le cas de m-cresol. Nous croyons que ces réactions d’alcoolyse procèdent par activation hétérolytique de l’alcool par l’espèce dimérique via des liaisons hydrogènes avec une ou deux des fonctions amides du dimère. Les espèces dimériques de Ni (II) s’oxydent facilement électrochimiquement et par reaction avec NBS ou Br2. De façon surprenante, l’oxydation chimique mène à l’isolation de nouveaux produits monomériques dans lesquels le centre métallique et le ligand sont oxydés. Le mécanisme d’oxydation fut aussi investigué par RMN, «UV-vis-NIR», «DFT» et spectroélectrochimie. / This thesis describes the synthesis, characterization, reactivities, and physical properties of divalent and trivalent complexes of Nickel based on new POCN-type pincer ligands. The amino-type POCN ligands were prepared in a simple and efficient manner via reductive amination of 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde with NaBH4 and various amines, followed by phosphination of the resulting amino alcohol to install the phosphinite (OPR2) functionality. The imino-type POCN ligand 1,3-(i-Pr)2PC6H4C(H)=N(CH2Ph) was prepared similarly using PhCH2NH2 in the absence of NaBH4. Reaction of these POCN-type pincer ligands with NiBr2(CH3CN)x in the presence of a base results in the high yield cyclometalation of the C-H bond which is ortho to the amine and phosphinite functionalities. The base was found to be essential for a clean and high yield formation of the desired pincer complexes. We have thus prepared square planar POCN-type pincer complexes (POCNRR΄)NiBr featuring tertiary or secondary amine moieties that exhibit different reactivities as a function of amine substituents R and R΄. For instance, complexes bearing the tertiary amine moieties ArCH2NR2 (NR2= NMe2, NEt2, and morpholinyl) displayed interesting redox properties and could be converted into their trivalent analogues (POCNR2)NiBr2 when reacted with Br2 or N-bromosuccinimide (NBS). These 17-electron, paramagnetic trivalent complexes adopt a distorted square pyramidal geometry with Br atoms at axial and equatorial positions. DSC and TGA analyses of these compounds revealed them to be thermally stable up to ~170 °C; whereas absorption spectroscopy in solution showed that they undergo thermal decomposition at much lower temperatures to regenerate the monobromo divalent complexes; increased steric bulk of the amine substituents accelerate this decomposition pathway significantly. The NMe2 and N(morpholinyl) analogues of these NiIII species are active catalysts for the Kharasch addition of CX4 to olefins such as styrene, whereas the least thermally stable analogue (POCNEt2)Ni was found to be completely inert for this reaction. The complexes (POCNRH)NiBr featuring secondary amine moieties allow access to unsymmetrically substituted amine moieties via reaction with alkyl halides. Another important advantage of these complexes lies in the possibility of deprotonation to prepare amide-type POCN complexes. Such attempts at deprotonating the NRH moieties have allowed us to prepare dimeric species featuring bridging amido ligands. The dimeric nature of these complexes [P,C,N,N-(2,6-(i-Pr)2PC6H3CH2NR)Ni]2 (R= PhCH2 and Ph) was established through X-ray diffraction studies that showed different geometries for the Ni2N2 cores as a function of N-substituent: the (PhCH2)N analogue featured a syn orientation of the benzyl substituents and a cyclobutane-like arrangement of Ni and of the nitrogen atoms, whereas the PhN analogue adopted a nearly planar diamond-like arrangement of the Ni and of the nitrogen atoms and an anti orientation of the phenyl substituents. These dimeric species do not dissociate in the presence of alcohols, but they promote the catalytic alcoholysis of acrylonitrile. Interestingly, yields of these reactions are higher with alcohols possessing more acidic O-H moieties, with a catalytic turnover number reaching up to 2000 in the case of m-cresol. These alcoholysis reactions are believed to proceed through heterolytic activation of the alcohol by dimeric species via hydrogen bonding with one or two amido moieties in the dimer. The dimeric Ni (II) species were found to undergo facile oxidation both electrochemically and in reaction with NBS or Br2. Surprisingly, chemical oxidation led to isolation of new monomeric products in which both the metallic center and the ligand were oxidized. giving a trivalent species featuring an imine-type POCN ligand. Oxidation mechanism was investigated in detail by NMR, UV-vis-NIR, DFT and spectroelectrochemistry.

No description available.