Synthesis and Reactivity of NiII(Phpy)2 (Phpy = 2-Phenylpyridine)

This article describes the synthesis and reactivity of NiII(Phpy)2 (Phpy = 2-phenylpyridine) with a variety of oxidants, including O2, Br2, PhICl2, N-fluoropyridinium salts, CuII salts, and N-halosuccinimides. High-oxidation-state Ni intermediates were not detected in any of these transformations. In all cases, the major organic product resulted from oxidatively induced C−C bond formation to generate the Phpy−Phpy dimer. Traces (2−16%) of organic products resulting from C−O, C−Br, C−Cl, and C−N bond-forming reductive elimination were also observed.