Three-coordinate nickel(i) complexes stabilised by six-, seven- and eight-membered ring N-heterocyclic carbenes: Synthesis, EPR/DFT studies and catalytic activity

Comproportionation of [Ni(cod)₂] (cod=cyclooctadiene) and [Ni(PPh₃)₂X₂] (X=Br, Cl) in the presence of six-, seven- and eight-membered ring N-aryl-substituted heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) provides a route to a series of isostructural three-coordinate Ni ^I complexes [Ni(NHC)(PPh₃)X] (X=Br, Cl; NHC=6-Mes 1, 6-Anis 2, 6-AnisMes 3, 7-o-Tol 4, 8-Mes 5, 8-o-Tol 6, O-8-o-Tol 7). Continuous wave (CW) and pulsed EPR measurements on 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 reveal that the spin Hamiltonian parameters are particularly sensitive to changes in NHC ring size, N substituents and halide. In combination with DFT calculations, a mixed SOMO of |3d_z2〉 and |3d_{x2 - y2}〉 character, which was found to be dependent on the complex geometry, was observed and this was compared to the experimental g values obtained from the EPR spectra. A pronounced ³¹P superhyperfine coupling to the PPh₃ group was also identified, consistent with the large spin density on the phosphorus, along with partially resolved bromine couplings. The use of 1, 4, 5 and 6 as pre-catalysts for the Kumada coupling of aryl chlorides and fluorides with ArMgY (Ar=Ph, Mes) showed the highest activity for the smaller ring systems and/or smaller substituents (i.e., 1>4≈6≫5).