The aldimine effect in bis(imino)pyridine complexes: non-planar nickel(i) complexes of a bis(aldimino)pyridine ligand

Abstract

Reduction of bis(aldimino)pyridine nickel(II) dihalide forms a non-planar bis(aldimino)pyridine nickel(I) halide. Unlike the previously reported square-planar bis(ketimino)pyridine nickel chloride, for which the spin density was localized on the ligand, the present species demonstrate N_py–Ni–X angles of 156°–162° and significant spin density at the metal inferred from EPR measurements and DFT calculations.