Synthesis and reactivity of new Ni, Pd, and Pt 2,6-bis(di-tert-butylphosphinito)pyridine pincer complexes.

Synthesis and characterization of new (PONOP) [2,6-bis(di-tert-butylphosphinito)pyridine] metal (Ni, Pd, Pt) complexes are reported. Surprisingly, these compounds [(PONOP)MCl]Cl in the presence of 1 equiv of superhydride (LiEt(3)BH) formed a new class of complexes (H-PONOP)MCl, in which the pyridine ring in the PONOP ligand lost its aromaticity as a result of hydride attack at the para position of the ring. The new Ni-H compound [(H-PONOP)NiH] was synthesized by reacting (H-PONOP)NiCl with 1 equiv of superhydride. Analogous Pd and Pt compounds were prepared. Reactivity of these new pincer complexes toward MeLi and PhLi also has been studied. These Ni complexes catalyzed the hydrosilylation of aldehyde. In some cases characterization of new (PONOP)M complexes was difficult because of high instability due to degradation of the P-O bond.