Interrogating the steric outcome during H 2 heterolysis: in-plane steric effects in the regioselective protonation of the PN 3 P-pincer ligand

H heterolysis to generate well-defined nickel hydride-proton complexes was achieved by the 2 generation PN P-pincer nickel platform. The regioselective protonation in the ligand framework was demonstrated for the first time to highlight the importance of in-plane hindrance during the H splitting process.