The synthesis of late-metal Silylene complexes is promising for cooperative small molecule activation via frustrated intramolecular σ or π.bonds which lead to highly reactive lewis acidic and lewis basic adjacent sites. We are studying nickel species which are stabilized by tridentate pincer ligands. Reactivity at the metal center is expected to be nucleophilic in nature and can be tuned via different electron donating substituents on the phosphine pincer ligands.  Current results using NiBr<sub>2</sub> DME adduct and bis(2-(dicyclohexylphosphino)phenyl)silane have yielded a stable Ni(II) complex in which we lose HBr and DME. With the addition of heat or in the presence of base, we see the loss of the silicon-hydride and believe to be making a bromo-silyl complex. Current experiments include abstracting the halide from nickel as well as abstracting the hydride from the silicon center in order to reach the nickel-silylene.

Synthesis of ambiphilic nickel-silyl complexes for cooperative small molecule activation

249th National Meeting (2015)

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