A series of Ni-based electrocatalysts, [Ni(7P(Ph)2N(C6H4X))2](BF4)2, featuring seven-membered cyclic diphosphine ligands incorporating a single amine base, 1-para-X-phenyl-3,6-triphenyl-1-aza-3,6-diphosphacycloheptane (7P(Ph)2N(C6H4X), where X = OMe, Me, Br, Cl, or CF3), have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray diffraction studies have established that the [Ni(7P(Ph)2N(C6H4X))2](2+) complexes have a square planar geometry, with bonds to four phosphorus atoms of the two bidentate diphosphine ligands. Each of the complexes is an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen production at the potential of the Ni(II/I) couple, with turnover frequencies ranging from 2400 to 27,000 s(-1) with [(DMF)H](+) in acetonitrile. Addition of water (up to 1.0 M) accelerates the catalysis, giving turnover frequencies ranging from 4100 to 96,000 s(-1). Computational studies carried out on the [Ni(7P(Ph)2N(C6H4X))2](2+) family indicate the catalytic rates reach a maximum when the electron-donating character of X results in the pKa of the Ni(I) protonated pendant amine matching that of the acid used for proton delivery. Additionally, the fast catalytic rates for hydrogen production by the [Ni(7P(Ph)2N(C6H4X))2](2+) family relative to the analogous [Ni(P(Ph)2N(C6H4X)2)2](2+) family are attributed to preferred formation of endo protonated isomers with respect to the metal center in the former, which is essential to attain suitable proximity to the reduced metal center to generate H2. The results of this work highlight the importance of precise pKa matching with the acid for proton delivery to obtain optimal rates of catalysis.

En route to catalysis: Two equivalents of the three‐coordinate copper(II) amide [(Cl2NN)Cu]‐NHAd participate in stoichiometric CH amination by a H‐atom abstraction/radical capture sequence. This active species may be generated through a copper(II) tert‐butoxide intermediate to allow for the unprecedented catalytic amination of sp3‐CH bonds with unactivated alkylamines. This method greatly expands the range of amines for catalytic CH amination since most protocols require N‐based electron‐withdrawing groups.

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A nickel(II) bis(diphosphine) complex, [Ni(PMe 2NPh 2)2](BF4)2 (PMe 2NPh 2 = 1,5-diphenyl-3,7-dimethyl-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane), has been synthesized and characterized. This complex, which contains pendant amines in the diphosphine ligand, is an electrocatalyst for hydrogen production by proton reduction. Using [(DMF)H]OTf as the acid, a turnover frequency of 1,540 s–1 was obtained with no added water, and a turnover frequency of 6,700 s–1 was found with 1.0 M water added. Thermochemical studies show that the hydride donor ability of [HNi(PMe 2NPh 2)2](BF4) is ΔG°H– = 54.0 kcal/mol, and we estimate a driving force for H2 elimination of 13.8 kcal/mol. [Ni(PMe 2NPh 2)2](BF4)2 is the fastest H2 production catalyst in the [Ni(PR 2NR′ 2)2](BF4)2 family of complexes.