C–H bond chlorination using nickel(ii) complexes of tetradentate amido-quinoline ligands

Abstract

Ni(II)-tetradentate amido-quinoline complexes effectively catalysed C–H chlorination of a series of hydrocarbons in the presence of NaOCl and acetic acid. The bond dissociation energy of the C(sp³)–H bond of the substrates varies from 99.3 kcal mol⁻¹ (cyclohexane) to 87 kcal mol⁻¹ (ethyl benzene). Exclusively chlorinated products (TON: 220 for cyclohexane) were obtained without any hydroxylated products, thus mimicking the activity of the halogenase enzyme.