The transformation of NO into N2O is an important biological step in the global nitrogen cycle. In nature, this conversion is performed by the bimetallic enzyme Nitric Oxide reductase. Alternatively, the reaction can be accomplished by a Pd/Cu co-catalyst system. We have been studying the reduction of NO using a three coordinate nickel nitrosyl complex, [Ni(NO)(bipy)][PF6] (1 ). Interestingly, addition of 2,2-bipyridine to 1  results in formation of the five coordinate nickel nitrosyl, [Ni(NO)(bipy)2][PF6] (2 ) which contains a bent Ni�N�O moiety. Complex 2  is unstable in solution and on standing evolves N2O. The formation of N2O proceeds through a cis-hyponitrite complex, [Ni(k2-O2N2)(bipy)] (3 ), which we have successfully isolated and structurally characterized. Further mechanistic insight into the N-N bond forming step will also be discussed.

Isolation of a nickel cis-hyponitrite complex: An intermediate in the reduction of NO to N<sub>2</sub>O

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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Isolation of a nickel cis-hyponitrite complex: An intermediate in the reduction of NO to N2O

Isolation of a nickel cis-hyponitrite complex: An intermediate in the reduction of NO to N₂O