Electronic structure of (MePh3P)2[NiII(bdtCl2)2]·2(CH3)2SO and (MePh3P)[NiIII(bdtCl2)2] (bdtCl2 = 3,6-dichlorobenzene-1,2-dithiolate)

High-resolution X-ray diffraction experiments, theoretical calculations and atom-specific X-ray absorption experiments were used to investigate two nickel complexes, (MePh3P)2[NiII(bdtCl2)2]·2(CH3)2SO [complex (1)] and (MePh3P)[NiIII(bdtCl2)2] [complex (2)]. Combining the techniques of nickel K- and sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy with high-resolution X-ray charge density modeling, together with theoretical calculations, the actual oxidation states of the central Ni atoms in these two complexes are investigated. Ni ions in two complexes are clearly in different oxidation states: the Ni ion of complex (1) is formally NiII; that of complex (2) should be formally NiIII, yet it is best described as a combination of Ni2+ and Ni3+, due to the involvement of the non-innocent ligand in the Ni—L bond. A detailed description of Ni—S bond character (σ,π) is presented.

Evaluating a dispersion of sodium in sodium chloride for the synthesis of low-valent nickel complexes

The use of a sodium in sodium chloride dispersion is systematically evaluated for the synthesis of nickel(0) and nickel(I) complexes from readily-prepared nickel(II) precursors. A variety of complexes with phosphine and bipyridine-type ligands were accessed, although some reactions were found to produce mixtures of nickel(0) and nickel(I), and yields were highly variable. Several new nickel(I) complexes were obtained, and these were characterised using techniques including NMR spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.