A detailed structural and thermodynamic study of a series of cobalt-hydride complexes is reported. This includes structural studies of [H(2)Co(dppe)(2)](+), HCo(dppe)(2), [HCo(dppe)(2)(CH(3)CN)](+), and [Co(dppe)(2)(CH(3)CN)](2+), where dppe = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane. Equilibrium measurements are reported for one hydride- and two proton-transfer reactions. These measurements and the determinations of various electrochemical potentials were used to determine 11 of 12 possible homolytic and heterolytic solution Co-H bond dissociation free energies of [H(2)Co(dppe)(2)](+) and its monohydride derivatives. These values provide a useful framework for understanding observed and potential reactions of these complexes. These reactions include the disproportionation of [HCo(dppe)(2)](+) to form [Co(dppe)(2)](+) and [H(2)Co(dppe)(2)](+), the reaction of [Co(dppe)(2)](+) with H(2), the protonation and deprotonation reactions of the various hydride species, and the relative ability of the hydride complexes to act as hydride donors.

The reaction of Et(2)PCH(2)N(Me)CH(2)PEt(2) (PNP) with [Ni(CH(3)CN)(6)](BF(4))(2) results in the formation of [Ni(PNP)(2)](BF(4))(2), which possesses both hydride- and proton-acceptor sites. This complex is an electrocatalyst for the oxidation of hydrogen to protons, and stoichiometric reaction with hydrogen forms [HNi(PNP)(PNHP)](BF(4))(2), in which a hydride ligand is bound to Ni and a proton is bound to a pendant N atom of one PNP ligand. The free energy associated with this reaction has been calculated to be -5 kcal/mol using a thermodynamic cycle. The hydride ligand and the NH proton undergo rapid intramolecular exchange with each other and intermolecular exchange with protons in solution. [HNi(PNP)(PNHP)](BF(4))(2) undergoes reversible deprotonation to form [HNi(PNP)(2)](BF(4)) in acetonitrile solutions (pK(a) = 10.6). A convenient synthetic route to the PF(6)(-) salt of this hydride involves the reaction of PNP with Ni(COD)(2) to form Ni(PNP)(2), followed by protonation with NH(4)PF(6). A pK(a) of value of 22.2 was measured for this hydride. This value, together with the half-wave potentials of [Ni(PNP)(2)](BF(4))(2), was used to calculate homolytic and heterolytic Ni-H bond dissociation free energies of 55 and 66 kcal/mol, respectively, for [HNi(PNP)(2)](PF(6)). Oxidation of [HNi(PNP)(2)](PF(6)) has been studied by cyclic voltammetry, and the results are consistent with a rapid migration of the proton from the Ni atom of the resulting [HNi(PNP)(2)](2+) cation to the N atom to form [Ni(PNP)(PNHP)](2+). Estimates of the pK(a) values of the NiH and NH protons of these two isomers indicate that proton migration from Ni to N should be favorable by 1-2 pK(a) units. Cyclic voltammetry and proton exchange studies of [HNi(depp)(2)](PF(6)) (where depp is Et(2)PCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)PEt(2)) are also presented as control experiments that support the important role of the bridging N atom of the PNP ligand in the proton exchange reactions observed for the various Ni complexes containing the PNP ligand. Similarly, structural studies of [Ni(PNBuP)(2)](BF(4))(2) and [Ni(PNP)(dmpm)](BF(4))(2) (where PNBuP is Et(2)PCH(2)N(Bu)CH(2)PEt(2) and dmpm is Me(2)PCH(2)PMe(2)) illustrate the importance of tetrahedral distortions about Ni in determining the hydride acceptor ability of Ni(II) complexes.

The thermodynamic hydride donor abilities of [HW(CO)(5)](-) (40 kcal/mol), [HW(CO)(4)P(OMe(3))](-) (37 kcal/mol), and [HW(CO)(4)(PPh(3))](-) (36 kcal/mol) have been measured in acetonitrile by either equilibrium or calorimetric methods. The hydride donor abilities of these complexes are compared with other complexes for which similar thermodynamic measurements have been made. [HW(CO)(5)](-), [HW(CO)(4)P(OMe(3))](-), and [HW(CO)(4)(PPh(3))](-) all react rapidly with [CpRe(PMe(3))(NO)(CO)](+) to form dinuclear intermediates with bridging formyl ligands. These intermediates slowly form [CpRe(PMe(3))(NO)(CHO)] and [W(CO)(4)(L)(CH(3)CN)]. The structure of cis-[HW(CO)(4)(PPh(3))](-) has been determined and has the expected octahedral structure. The hydride ligand bends away from the CO ligand trans to PPh(3) and toward PPh(3).