Impact of Oxidation State on Reactivity and Selectivity Differences between Nickel(III) and Nickel(IV) Alkyl Complexes

Described is a systematic comparison of factors impacting the relative rates and selectivities of C(sp3)−C and C(sp3)−O bond-forming reactions at high-valent Ni as a function of oxidation state. Two Ni complexes are compared: a cationic octahedral NiIV complex ligated by tris(pyrazolyl)borate and a cationic octahedral NiIII complex ligated by tris(pyrazolyl)methane. Key features of reactivity/selectivity are revealed: 1) C(sp3)−C(sp2) bond-forming reductive elimination occurs from both centers, but the NiIII complex reacts up to 300-fold faster than the NiIV, depending on the reaction conditions. The relative reactivity is proposed to derive from ligand dissociation kinetics, which vary as a function of oxidation state and the presence/absence of visible light. 2) Upon the addition of acetate (AcO−), the NiIV complex exclusively undergoes C(sp3)−OAc bond formation, while the NiIII analogue forms the C(sp3)−C(sp2) coupled product selectively. This difference is rationalized based on the electrophilicity of the respective M−C(sp3) bonds, and thus their relative reactivity towards outer-sphere SN2-type bond-forming reactions.