Synthesis and reactivity of a masked PSiP pincer supported nickel hydride

Abstract

Tridentate PSiP pincer ligands featuring two phosphine donors and an anionic Si donor have attracted considerable attention in recent years. Here, we report the synthesis of the η3-cyclooctenyl complex, (PhPSiP)Ni(η3-cyclooctenyl) (1; PhPSiP=Si(Me)(2-PPh2–C6H4)2) through the reaction of Ni(COD)2 with PhPSiHP (PhPSiHP=HSi(Me)(2-PPh2–C6H4)2). We propose, that as a result of β-hydride elimination of 1,3-COD, 1 can act as a synthetic equivalent for (PhPSiP)NiH. The reaction of 1 with a variety of different reagents including another equivalent of PhPSiHP to form (PhPSiP)2Ni (2), 1,3-COD and H2, PPh3 to form the Ni(0) species (PhPSiHP)Ni(PPh3) (3) and 1,3-COD and 2,6-lutidine·HCl to generate (PhPSiP)NiCl (4), 1,3-COD and H2 are in agreement with this hypothesis. In addition, in the reaction of 1 with BH3·THF, (PhPSiP)Ni(κ2-BH4) (5) was observed but could not be isolated. This reaction presumably proceeds via (PhPSiP)NiH. This is supported by the observation that the reaction of (CyPSiP)NiH (CyPSiP=Si(Me)(2-PCy2-C6H4)2) with BH3·THF formed (CyPSiP)Ni(κ2-BH4) (6). Catalytic reactions such as alkene isomerization and CO2 reduction using 1 as precatalyst are also consistent with a nickel hydride being accessible. Compounds 1, 2 and 6 were characterized by X-ray crystallography.