Naphthyl and biphenyl para-substituted POCOP-Ni(ii) pincer complexes as efficient catalysts in C–S cross-coupling reactions

Abstract

A series of six novel para-poly-aromatic acyl-functionalized nickel POCOP-pincer complexes, [NiCl{C₆H₂-4-Y-2,6-(OPR₂)₂}] (Y = [1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxylate, 2-naphthoate, R = ⁱPr, ^tBu, Ph), have been synthesized in a straightforward manner in high yields. All new complexes have been fully characterized by standard techniques and three of them unequivocally confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The catalytic activity of the complexes was examined in C–S cross coupling reactions of iodobenzene with both aryl and alkyl thiols showing high conversions with low catalyst loadings.