Nickel Hydride Complex Research Articles

Designing Nickel-based catalysts for the hydrogenation of CO2 under Ambient conditions: A computational study

Recent developments, industrialization, and modernization lead to production of more and more pollutants (such as CO2: ∼ 417.06 ppm) and such rapid growth of CO2 level results in global warming and the greenhouse effect. So, it is essential to conduct research on converting CO2 into fuels using carbon-neutral energy. Recent research on molecular catalysts has improved the rates of converting CO2 to formate. However, these catalysts require extremely high temperatures and pressures and are made of expensive metals like iridium, ruthenium, and rhodium. Herein, DFT-based computational studies have been performed on the catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 by different Ni(II) complexes in ambient conditions. Using state-of-the-art calculations, we demonstrate how the geometry and spin states of Ni(II) complexes containing different types of ligands affect their catalytic role in CO2 hydrogenation. It has been reported that hydride transfer is the most crucial step for such kind of hydrogenation reaction. We start with previously synthesised Ni-bis(diphosphine) complexes of type NiP4 and by extrapolating the concept, we propose a novel kind of Ni-PNP complex with a significantly lower hydride transfer barrier. We also calculate the hydricities of the nickel hydride complexes in order to correlate these thermodynamic parameters with the kinetic barrier of hydride transfer.

Selective 1,2-Hydroarylation(Alkenylation) of gem-Difluoroalkenes to Access (-CF2 H) Motifs.

An emerging class of C-C coupling transformations that furnish drug-like building blocks involves catalytic hydrocarbonation of alkenes. However, despite notable advances in the field, hydrocarbon addition to gem-difluoroalkenes without additional electronic activation remains largely unsuccessful. This owes partly to poor reactivity and the propensity of difluoroalkenes to undergo defluorinative side reactions. Here, we report a nickel catalytic system that promotes efficient 1,2-selective hydroarylation and hydroalkenylation, suppressing defluorination and providing straightforward access to a diverse assortment of prized organofluorides bearing difluoromethyl-substituted carbon centers. In contrast to radical-based pathways and reactions triggered by hydrometallation via a nickel-hydride complex, our experimental and computational studies support a mechanism in which a catalytically active nickel-bromide species promotes selective carbonickelation with difluoroalkenes followed by alkoxide exchange and hydride transfer, effectively overcoming the difluoroalkene's intrinsic electronic bias.

Pitfalls for POCOP-Type Palladium Pincer Complexes in Catalytic Reduction of CO2 with Catecholborane

Reduction of CO2 with catecholborane (HBcat) is known to be catalyzed by nickel hydride complexes supported by a bis(phosphinite)-based or POCOP-type pincer ligand. The objective of this research is to examine how changing the metal center from nickel to palladium would impact the outcome of CO2 reduction. Stoichiometric studies show that the palladium hydride complexes react rapidly with CO2, although the resulting palladium formate complexes can lose CO2 under reduced pressure or in chloroform. In the presence of HBcat, the formate complexes are converted back to the palladium hydride species while the formate group is reduced to CH3OBcat. This process is also accompanied by the formation of palladium bis(catecholato)borate complexes, which diverts some of the HBcat to yield B2(cat)3 and B2H6. For palladium hydrides stabilized by a POCOP-pincer ligand with relatively small phosphorus substituents (e.g., isopropyl or cyclopentyl groups), HBcat cleaves the P–O bonds in the ligand backbone to degrade the catalysts to secondary phosphine complexes. Without CO2, HBcat also undergoes H2 elimination with the Pd–H moiety to form palladium boryl complexes. These side reactions with HBcat and the palladium pincer complexes play profound roles in the catalytic reduction of CO2 with the borane.

PCP Pincer Carbene Nickel(II) Chloride, Hydride, and Thiolate Complexes: Hydrosilylation of Aldehyde, Ketone, and Nitroarene by the Thiolate Complex

The one-pot reaction between ethylenediamine, paraformaldehyde, and Ph2PH or tBu2PH gave a new diphosphine compound 1,3-bis((diphenylphosphaneyl)methyl)imidazolidine L1 or 1,3-bis((di-tert-butylphosphaneyl)methyl)imidazolidine L2, respectively, in excellent yields. Metalation with [NiCl2(DME)] in the presence of KPF6 afforded pincer carbene nickel chloride complexes [(PhPCP)NiCl]PF6, 1, and [(tBuPCP)NiCl]PF6, 2, by the simultaneous double C–H bond activations of the methylene protons. The reaction of 1 and 2 with PhSNa gave both neutral five- and ionic four-coordinate thiolate complexes [(PhPCP)Ni(SPh)2], 3, and [(PhPCP)NiSPh]PF6, 4, and [(tBuPCP)NiSPh]PF6, 5, depending upon the reaction stoichiometry. Interestingly, the reaction of 2 with an excess of NaBH4 gave the new hydride complex [(tBuPCP)NiH]PF6, 6. Their structures were confirmed by the X-ray diffraction method. Of these, only the thiolate complexes 3 and 4 are efficient catalysts for the hydrosilylation of aldehydes, ketones, and nitroarenes to give primary, secondary alcohols, and aromatic amines using PhSiH3 after hydrolysis. Aldehydes containing different substituents and conjugated double bonds, aliphatic, and heterocyclic aldehydes are converted to alcohols in excellent isolated yields with 0.5 mol % complex 3 in 2 h under neat conditions at room temperature. The hydrosilylation of ketones requires heating conditions in toluene to give products in moderate yields. Eight nitroarenes were converted to their aromatic amines in very good yields including chemoselective reductions. The poor performance of the nickel hydride suggests that the bound thiolate group in 3 or 4 plays a key role in mediating these reactions possibly via metal–ligand cooperation. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated the formation of a nickel silyl complex detected by the 19Si NMR method with H2 evolution among others. For the nitroarene reduction, the detection of intermediates followed by the catalytic reduction of N-phenylhydroxylamine to give aniline indicated the direct method mechanism.

Thermochemical Studies of Nickel Hydride Complexes with Cationic Ligands in Aqueous and Organic Solvents

Transition metal hydride complexes are key intermediates in a variety of catalytic processes. Transfer of a hydride, hydrogen atom, or proton is defined by the thermochemical parameters of hydricity, bond dissociation free energy (BDFE), and pKa, respectively. These values have been studied primarily in organic solvents to predict or understand reactivity. Despite growing interest in the development of aqueous metal hydride catalysis, BDFE measurements of transition metal hydrides in water are rare. Herein, we report two nickel hydride complexes with one or two cationic ligands that enable the measurement of BDFE values in both aqueous and organic solvents using their reduction potential and pKa values. The Ni(I/0) reduction potentials increase anodically as more charged groups are introduced into the ligand framework and are among the most positive values measured for Ni complexes. The complex with two cationic ligands, 2-Ni(II)–H, displays exceptional stability in water with no evidence of decomposition at pH 1 for at least 2 weeks. The BDFE of the nickel hydride bond in 2-Ni(II)–H was measured to be 53.6 kcal/mol in water and between 50.9 and 56.2 kcal/mol in acetonitrile, consistent with prior work that indicates minimal solvent dependence for BDFEs of O–H and N–H bonds. These results indicate that transition metal hydride BDFEs do not change drastically in water and inform future studies on highly cationic transition metal hydride complexes.

Insights into the Capture of CO2 by Nickel Hydride Complexes

As a desired feedstock for sustainable energy source and for chemical synthesis, the capture and utilization of CO2 have attracted chemists’ continuous efforts. The homogeneous CO2 insertion into a nickel hydride complex to generate formate provides insight into the role of hydrogen as an active hydride form in the hydrogenation of CO2, which serves as a practicable approach for CO2 utilization. To parameterize the activities and to model the structure–activity relationship in the CO2 insertion into nickel hydride, the comprehensive mechanism of CO2 insertion into a series of square planar transition metal hydride (TM–H, TM = Ni, Pd, and Co) complexes was investigated using density functional theory (DFT) computations. The stepwise pathway with the TM-(H)-formate intermediate for the CO2 insertion into all seven square planar transition metal hydride (TM–H) complexes was observed. The overall rate-determining step (RDS) was the nucleophilic attraction of the terminal O atom on the Ni center in Ni-(H)-formate to form Ni-(O)-(exo)formate. The charge of the Ni atom in the axially vacant [Ni]+ complex was demonstrated as the dominant factor in CO2 insertion, which had an excellent linear correction (R2 = 0.967) with the Gibbs barrier (ΔG‡) of the RDS. The parameterized activities and modeled structure–activity relationship provided here light the way to the design of a more efficient Ni–H complex in the capture and utilization of CO2.

Nickel Hydride Complexes Supported by a Pyrrole-Derived Phosphine Ligand

Nickel Hydride Complexes Supported by a Pyrrole-Derived Phosphine Ligand

Photochemical H2 Evolution from Bis(diphosphine)nickel Hydrides Enables Low-Overpotential Electrocatalysis.

Molecules capable of both harvesting light and forming new chemical bonds hold promise for applications in the generation of solar fuels, but such first-row transition metal photoelectrocatalysts are lacking. Here we report nickel photoelectrocatalysts for H2 evolution, leveraging visible-light-driven photochemical H2 evolution from bis(diphosphine)nickel hydride complexes. A suite of experimental and theoretical analyses, including time-resolved spectroscopy and continuous irradiation quantum yield measurements, led to a proposed mechanism of H2 evolution involving a short-lived singlet excited state that undergoes homolysis of the Ni-H bond. Thermodynamic analyses provide a basis for understanding and predicting the observed photoelectrocatalytic H2 evolution by a 3d transition metal based catalyst. Of particular note is the dramatic change in the electrochemical overpotential: in the dark, the nickel complexes require strong acids and therefore high overpotentials for electrocatalysis; but under illumination, the use of weaker acids at the same applied potential results in a more than 500 mV improvement in electrochemical overpotential. New insight into first-row transition metal hydride photochemistry thus enables photoelectrocatalytic H2 evolution without electrochemical overpotential (at the thermodynamic potential or 0 mV overpotential). This catalyst system does not require sacrificial chemical reductants or light-harvesting semiconductor materials and produces H2 at rates similar to molecular catalysts attached to silicon.

Front Cover: Nickel(II) Dihydrogen and Hydride Complexes as the Intermediates of H2 Heterolytic Splitting by Nickel Diazadiphosphacyclooctane Complexes (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 41/2021)

Front Cover: Nickel(II) Dihydrogen and Hydride Complexes as the Intermediates of H₂ Heterolytic Splitting by Nickel Diazadiphosphacyclooctane Complexes (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 41/2021)

Nickel(II) Dihydrogen and Hydride Complexes as the Intermediates of H2 Heterolytic Splitting by Nickel Diazadiphosphacyclooctane Complexes

AbstractThe interaction of a series of [Ni(PR12NR22)2]2+ complexes 1–4 (where PR12NR22=1,5‐R2‐3,7‐R1‐1,5‐diaza‐3,7‐diphosphacyclooctane; R1=o‐Py, Ph; R2=CHPh2, p‐Tol) with H2 is reversible yielding the products of heterolytic splitting of dihydrogen in the metal coordination sphere ‐ [NiH(PR12NR22)(PR12NR22H)]2+. Experiments conducted with parahydrogen allowed to see the signal at about −4 ppm corresponding to the metal‐bound H2 in the nickel dihydrogen complex [Ni(η2−H2)(PPh2NCHPh22)2]2+ (3‐H2) – the short‐living non‐classical intermediate, which so far has been revealed only computationally.

C(sp3)–F Bond Activation and Hydrodefluorination of the CF3 Group Catalyzed by a Nickel(II) Hydride Complex: Theoretical Insight into the Mechanism with a Spin-State Change and Two Ion-Pair Intermediates

C(sp³)–F Bond Activation and Hydrodefluorination of the CF₃ Group Catalyzed by a Nickel(II) Hydride Complex: Theoretical Insight into the Mechanism with a Spin-State Change and Two Ion-Pair Intermediates

Theoretical mechanistic study of nickel‐catalyzed anti‐Markovnikov hydroarylation of alkenes

AbstractTransition metal‐catalyzed hydroarylation of alkenes can provide various Markovnikov products, but so‐called anti‐Markovnikov additions to alkenes are rarely reported. Here, a divalent nickel hydride complex catalyzed anti‐Markovnikov reductive cross‐coupling of styrene and aryl iodide has been investigated using density functional theory. The reaction occurs via the regio‐determining hydronickelation, the oxidative addition of the CI bond to Ni(II) center, and the rate‐determining reductive elimination of hydroarylation product. The electronic processes were investigated with a fragment molecular orbital analysis to understand the origin of anti‐Markovnikov selectivity and successive oxidative addition and reductive elimination steps.

Computational study on the mechanism of hydroboration of CO2 catalysed by POCOP pincer nickel thiolate complexes: concerted catalysis and hydride transfer by a shuttle.

Hydroboration of carbon dioxide (CO2) catalysed by bis(phosphinite) (POCOP) pincer nickel complexes is among the most efficient homogeneous processes for the reduction of CO2 to the methanol level. Although both POCOP pincer nickel hydride and thiolate complexes are effective catalysts, the latter is far more effective under the same conditions. The mechanism for nickel hydride complexes catalysed reactions is well-established. However, that for nickel thiolate complex catalysed reactions remains elusive. In this work, the mechanism for the reduction of CO2 catalysed by POCOP pincer nickel thiolate complexes was investigated using density functional theory. The calculated results indicated that the reaction occurs via a concerted catalytic process involving two active species and the hydride is transferred by a shuttle species. Specifically, the reaction proceeds through four cycles: formation of two active species (cycle I) followed by further reaction of these two species to form a hydride transfer shuttle which is responsible for hydride transfers CO2→HCOOBcat (cycle II), HCOOBcat→CH2O (cycle III) and CH2O→catBOCH3 (cycle IV). The calculated mechanism is in good agreement with the experimental observation that the reaction is exothermic with simultaneous HBcat degradation.

Octaboraneyl [Ni(H)(diphosphine)2]+ Complexes: Exploiting Phosphine Ligand Lability for Hydride Transfer to an [NAD]+ Model.

Ligand design represents a central tenet of synthetic chemistry, wherein simple modification can lead to major differences in reactivity. Herein, we describe the preparation of two bis(diphosphino)nickel(II) hydride complexes that contain eight pendant boranes in their secondary coordination sphere, [Ni(H)(P2BR4)2]+ (R = Cy or Mes; Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl). Divergent reactivity of the cyclohexyl analogue toward the [NAD]+ model, 3-acetyl-N-benzylpyridinium bromide ([BNAcP]Br), is underscored. While [Ni(H)(P2BCy4)2]+ undergoes rapid hydride transfer, the related species [Ni(H)(dnppe)2]+ [dnppe = 1,2-bis(di-n-propylphosphino)ethane] and adduct [Ni(H)(P2BCy4)2(DMAP)8]+ (DMAP = 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine) exhibit no such reactivity. This borane-appended nickel(II) hydride distinguishes itself from its "all-alkyl" cousins and provides future opportunities for the design of [Ni(H)(diphosphine)2]+ reagents for hydride transfer.

Application of bis(phosphinite) pincer nickel complexes to the catalytic hydrosilylation of aldehydes

A series of bis(phosphinite) (POCOP) pincer ligated nickel complexes, [2,6-(tBu2PO)2C6H3]NiX (X = SH, 1; SCH2Ph, 2; SPh, 3; NCS, 4; N3, 5), were used to catalyse the hydrosilylation of aldehydes. It was found that both complexes 1 and 2 are active in catalysing the hydrosilylation of aldehydes with phenylsilane and complex 1 is comparatively more active. The expected alcohols were isolated in good to excellent yields after basic hydrolysis of the resultant hydrosilylation products. However, no reaction was observed when complex 3 or 4 or 5 was used as the catalyst. The results are consistent with complexes 1 and 2 serving as catalyst precursors, which generate the corresponding nickel hydride complex [2,6-(tBu2PO)2C6H3]NiH in situ, and the nickel hydride complex is the active species that catalyses this hydrosilylation process. The in situ generation of the nickel hydride species was supported by both experimental results and DFT calculation.

Synthesis of Cationic, Dimeric α-Diimine Nickel Hydride Complexes and Relevance to the Polymerization of Olefins

Well-defined nickel hydride complexes bearing aryl-substituted α-diimine (iPrDI = N,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2,3-butanediimine or MesDI = N,N′-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-2,3-butanediimine) lig...

Hydrogenolysis of Polysilanes Catalyzed by Low‐Valent Nickel Complexes

AbstractThe dehydrogenation of organosilanes (RxSiH4−x) under the formation of Si−Si bonds is an intensively investigated process leading to oligo‐ or polysilanes. The reverse reaction is little studied. To date, the hydrogenolysis of Si−Si bonds requires very harsh conditions and is very unselective, leading to multiple side products. Herein, we describe a new catalytic hydrogenation of oligo‐ and polysilanes that is highly selective and proceeds under mild conditions. New low‐valent nickel hydride complexes are used as catalysts and secondary silanes, RR′SiH2, are obtained as products in high purity.

Hydrogenolysis of Polysilanes Catalyzed by Low‐Valent Nickel Complexes

The dehydrogenation of organosilanes (Rx SiH4-x ) under the formation of Si-Si bonds is an intensively investigated process leading to oligo- or polysilanes. The reverse reaction is little studied. To date, the hydrogenolysis of Si-Si bonds requires very harsh conditions and is very unselective, leading to multiple side products. Herein, we describe a new catalytic hydrogenation of oligo- and polysilanes that is highly selective and proceeds under mild conditions. New low-valent nickel hydride complexes are used as catalysts and secondary silanes, RR'SiH2 , are obtained as products in high purity.

Improved hydrogen storage properties of Mg/MgH2 thanks to the addition of nickel hydride complex precursors

In order to improve the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation properties of the Mg/MgH2 system, the nickel hydride complex NiHCl(P(C6H11)3)2 has been added in different amounts to MgH2 by planetary ball milling. The hydrogen storage properties of the formed composites were studied by different thermal analyses methods (temperature programmed desorption, calorimetric and pressure-composition-temperature analyses). The optimal amount of the nickel complex precursor was found to be of 20 wt%. It allows to homogeneously disperse 1.8 wt% of nickel active species at the surface of the Mg/MgH2 particles. After the decomposition of the complex during MgH2 dehydrogenation, the formed composite is stable upon cycling at low temperature. It can release hydrogen at 200 °C and absorb 6.3 wt% of H2 at 100 °C in less than 1 h. The significantly enhanced H2 storage properties are due to the impact of the highly dispersed nickel on both the kinetics and thermodynamics of the Mg/MgH2 system. The hydrogenation and dehydrogenation enthalpies were found to be of −65 and 63 kJ/mol H2 respectively (±75 kJ/mol H2 for pure Mg/MgH2) and the calculated apparent activation energies of the hydrogen uptake and release processes are of 22 and 127 kJ/mol H2 respectively (88 and 176 kJ/mol H2 for pure Mg/MgH2). The change in the thermodynamics observed in the formed composite is likely to be due to the formation of a Mg0.992Ni0.008 phase during dehydrogenation/hydrogenation cycling. The impact of another hydride nickel precursor in which chloride has been replaced by a borohydride ligand, namely NiH(BH4)(P(C6H11)3)2, is also reported.

Importance of thorough conformational analysis in modelling transition metal-mediated reactions: Case studies on pincer complexes containing phosphine groups

Advances in processing capabilities of computer clusters have allowed for the full modeling of organometallic complexes that previously would have been simplified to reduce computational cost. Increased feasibility of computational modeling offers new challenges, not only in terms of limitations of methods and theory, but attention should be paid to complexes that can exist in many conformations, as the appropriate choice of conformer may be easily overlooked. In this work a series of pincer complexes with isopropyl and cyclopentyl substituents have been chosen as examples to demonstrate the importance of conformational analysis. The complexes examined contain four isopropyl or cyclopentyl groups on phosphor atoms generating between 27 and 324 possible rotamers. The importance of conformational search in a mechanistic investigation is demonstrated with the CO2 insertion into a nickel hydride bond of POCOP iPr nickel hydride complex. Results show that the reaction energy profile can be both exergonic and endergonic depending on rotamer choice. Specifically, the POCOPiPr Ni-formato complex product of the CO2 insertion reaction had an energy difference between the lowest and highest energy rotamer as high as 16.8 kcal/mol. The significant energy differences between rotamers highlight the importance of thorough conformational analysis and should be taken into consideration when evaluating the energy profile of related reactions.