From
the two organonickel(II) scaffolds [Ni(Phbpy)]+ and [Ni(PyPhPy)]+ (HPhbpy = 6-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridineHC∧N∧N and Py(HPh)Py = 2,6-di-2-pyridyl-benzeneN∧(HC)∧N) the hydrido complexes [Ni(C∧N∧N)H] and [Ni(N∧C∧N)H] were studied in a combined experimental/theoretical
approach. The hydrido complexes were prepared via the reaction of
the halido derivatives [Ni(C∧N∧N)X] and [Ni(N∧C∧N)X] (X = Cl,
Br) with Li(Et3BH) (superhydride). The C∧N∧N complex undergoes rapid reductive elimination
(RE) yielding HPhbpy and Ni particles even at the lowest temperatures,
while the PyPhPy derivative is more stable. Low-temperature 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy allowed detection
of a signal at δ = −2.86 ppm assignable to the hydrido
ligand. The different stabilities can be directly correlated to the cis (Phbpy) and trans (PyPhPy) orientations
of the carbanionic phen-2-ide group with the hydrido ligand, and rapid
RE occurs from the cis position which is also supported
by the density functional theory (DFT) calculations which are presented.
A further TD-DFT/UV–vis absorption study is also reported to
rationalize and confirm the fleeting existence of the Ni–H
moiety, and proposals are made on the route of its decomposition.