Synthesis and structure of a terminal dinitrogen complex of nickel

Abstract

Reaction of petroleum ether solutions of [(dtbpe)Ni]2(η2,µ-C6H6) (1, dtbpe = 1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ethane) with triphenylphosphine under a dinitrogen atmosphere gives the Ni(0) dinitrogen adduct (dtbpe)Ni(N2)(PPh3) (2), which can be isolated as dark red crystals in 87% yield. The X-ray crystal structure of 2 reveals pseudotetrahedral geometry about Ni and a terminal dinitrogen ligand with Ni—N(1) = 1.830(2) Å, N(1)—N(2) = 1.112(2) Å, and Ni-N(1)-N(2) = 177.5(2)°. Key words: dinitrogen, nickel, X-ray.