The extremely bulky N-heterocylic carbene 1,3-bis(2,6-dibenzyhydryl-4-methylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene, IPr*, provides steric protection which allows the formation of low-valent complexes which stabilize very reactive moieties. The reactivity of the two-coordinate nickel imido complex (IPr*)Ni=N(dmp) (dmp = 2,6-dimesitylphenyl) with carbon-carbon unsaturated substrates has been investigated. The reactivity of differentially substituted olefins has been examined as well as terminal and internal alkynes. Only primary olefins were found to react with the imido complex. (IPr*)Ni=N(dmp) reacts with ethylene to form a metallacyclobutane which is moderately stable. The reactivity of the metallacycle toward CO, CO2 and O2 iwill be described.

Small molecule reactivity of a two-coordinate nickel imido complex

246th National Meeting (2013)

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