A model for catalysis by nickel(II) complexes
Abstract
The tetrahedral-planar isomerisation of four-co-ordinate complexes of the nickel(II) ion of the type [L2NiX2](L is a neutral ligand and X an anionic ligand) is discussed in terms of the second-order Jahn–Teller effect. It is shown that when the ligands L possess π-acceptor orbitals the isomerisation may be facilitated and it is suggested that a ready isomerisation may account for the catalytic activity of these, and possibly other, transition-metal complexes with π-bonding ligands.