Utilisation of new NiSNS pincer complexes in paraffin oxidation

Abstract

Abstract Two series of closely related SNS pincer ligands (L) were synthesised with the major structural variation on the nitrogen backbone containing either the methyl [L = (RSCH2CH2)2NMe: where R = Me (1), Et (2), Bu (3)] or the phenyl [L = (RSCH2CH2)2NPh: where R = Me (4), Et (5), Cy (6)] functional group. When ligands 1–3 were complexed to Ni by reaction with Ni(DME)Cl2 (DME = dimethoxyethane), they respectively yielded three new cationic dimeric [LNi(μ-Cl)3NiL]+ complexes (7–9), whilst ligands 4–6 on reaction with Ni(PPh3)2Br2 respectively yielded neutral mononuclear (LNiBr2) complexes 10–12. All the new compounds were characterised by IR, HRMS, elemental analysis and in addition, single crystal X-ray diffraction for complexes 9–12. X-ray structural data of 9 revealed an unusual three chlorido-bridged Ni dimer with the SNS ligand coordinated in a facial binding mode to the two pseudo-octahedral Ni centres. Molecular structures of complexes 10, 11 and 12 each displayed five-coordinate distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry around the nickel(II) metal centres. When utilised as catalysts in the tert-butyl hydroperoxide oxidation of n-octane, all the complexes showed activity to mainly products of internal carbon activation (octanones and secondary octanols) with 11 as the most active (10% total substrate to oxygenates yield), whereas 10 was the least active, but most selective towards alcohols (alcohol/ketone = 2.13).