Autoionization of Homogeneous Nickel(II) Diphosphane Hydrogenation Catalysts. An NMR Study and Crystal Structures of [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)I2] and [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)2](PF6)2

Abstract
The synthesis of a number of nickel(II) complexes containing the didentate phosphane ligand 1,2-bis(di(o-methoxyphenyl)phosphino)ethane (o-MeO-dppe) is reported. Two types of complexes have been synthesized, i.e., the mono(chelate) complex (1) of the general formula [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)X2] (where X = Cl, Br or I) and the bis(chelate) complex (2) of the general formula [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)2]Y2 (where Y = PF6 or trifluoroacetate (TFA)). These complexes have been characterized using electronic absorption and NMR spectroscopy. The structures of the mono(chelate) complex [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)I2] (1c) and of the bis(chelate) complex [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)2](PF6)2 (2e) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)I2] crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with Z = 4, a = 12.1309(1) Å, b = 16.5759(3) Å, c = 17.6474(2) Å, β = 119.3250(10)°. [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)2](PF6)2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with Z = 4, a = 22.5326(3) Å, b = 13.6794(2) Å, c = 21.7134(3) Å, β = 107.1745(7)°. In both structures the nickel ion is in a square-planar geometry with a NiP2I2 and NiP4 chromophore, respectively. Using 1H and 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy the behavior of the complexes in various solvents has been studied. It appears that in solution these nickel complexes are involved in an autoionization equilibrium: 2[Ni(o-MeO-dppe)X2] ⇋ [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)2]2+ + [“NiX4”]2-. The ionized complex (3) consists of a cationic unit in which a nickel atom is surrounded by two didentate phosphane ligands, and an anionic unit that stoichiometrically consists of a nickel atom and four anions. The position of the autoionization equilibrium is highly dependent on the anion and the solvent used. In a polar solvent in combination with weakly coordinating anions only the ionized complex is observed, whereas in an apolar solvent in combination with coordinating anions only the mono(chelate) complex occurs. A comparison of the behavior of o-MeO-dppe with its unsubstituted analogue dppe in combination with nickel(II) acetate using 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy shows that the latter is more readily oxidized.

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