Synthesis and Characterization of a Masked Terminal Nickel-Oxide Complex.

In exploring terminal nickel-oxo complexes, postulated to be the active oxidant in natural and non-natural oxidation reactions, we report the synthesis of the pseudo-trigonal bipyramidal Ni complexes (K)[Ni (L )(DMF)] (1[DMF]) and (NMe ) [Ni (L )(OAc)] (1[OAc]) (L =2,2',2''-nitrilo-tris-(N-phenylacetamide); DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide; OAc=acetate). Both complexes were characterized using NMR, FTIR, ESI-MS, and X-ray crystallography, showing the L ligand to bind in a tetradentate fashion, together with an ancillary donor. The reaction of 1[OAc] with peroxyphenyl acetic acid (PPAA) resulted in the formation of [(L )Ni -O-H⋅⋅⋅OAc] , 2, that displays many of the characteristics of a terminal Ni=O species. 2 was characterized by UV-Vis, EPR, and XAS spectroscopies and ESI-MS. 2 decayed to yield a Ni -phenolate complex 3 (through aromatic electrophilic substitution) that was characterized by NMR, FTIR, ESI-MS, and X-ray crystallography. 2 was capable of hydroxylation of hydrocarbons and epoxidation of olefins, as well as oxygen atom transfer oxidation of phosphines at exceptional rates. While the oxo-wall remains standing, this complex represents an excellent example of a masked metal-oxide that displays all of the properties expected of the ever elusive terminal M=O beyond the oxo-wall.