Redox-induced reactions of nickel maleonitriledithiolate αα′-di-imine complexes

Abstract

The complex [Ni^II{(NC)₂C₂S₂}{(CH₃)₂C₂N₂Ph₂}] has been found to undergo one-electron reduction to a species containing Ni^I. This species is unstable and disproportionates to the known [Ni^II{(NC)₂C₂S₂}₂]^2– and [Ni{(CH₃)₂C₂N₂Ph₂}₂]. The complex also reacts upon oxidation to give [Ni{(NC)₂C₂S₂}₂]^–. A similar one-electron reduction of [Ni(Ph₂C₂S₂)(phen)](phen =1,10-phenanthroline) has been found to give a stable species with greater delocalisation of the unpaired electron over the ligand.