Synthesis, spectral (IR, UV–Vis and variable temperature NMR) characterization and crystal structure of (N-benzyl-N-furfuryldithicarbamato-S,S′)(thiocyanato-N)(triphenylphosphine)nickel(II)

Abstract

Planar (N-benzyl-N-furfuryldithiocarbamato-S,S′)(thiocyanato-N)(triphenylphospine)nickel(II), [Ni(bfdtc)(NCS)(PPh3)], (1) was prepared from bis(N-benzyl-N-furfuryldithiocarbamato-S,S′)nickel(II), [Ni(bfdtc)2], (2) and characterized by elemental analysis, cyclic voltammetry, electronic, IR and variable temperature 1H and 13C NMR spectra. For complex 1, the thioureide vCN value is shifted to higher wavenumber compared to 2 and N13CS2 carbon signal observed for 1 is additionally shielded compared to the parent complex 2, suggesting increased strength of the thioureide bond due to the presence of the π-accepting phosphine. In the room temperature 13C NMR spectrum of 1, two pseudo doublets are observed in the aliphatic region. Variable temperature 13C NMR spectral studies suggest that the fast thiocyanate exchange appears to be responsible for the appearance of pseudo doublets. Single crystal X-ray structural analysis of 1 and 2 confirm the presence of four coordinated nickel in a distorted square planar arrangement with the NiS2PN and NiS4 chromophores, respectively. The NiS bonds are symmetric in 2 (2.1914(14) and 2.2073(13)Å). But significant asymmetry in NiS bond distances was observed in 1 (2.2202(8)Å and 2.1841Å). This observation clearly supports the less effective trans effect of SCN− over PPh3. Cyclic voltammetric studies revealed easier reduction of nickel(II) to nickel(I) in complex 1 compared to 2.