Oxidatively-induced aromatic cyanation mediated by Ni(iii)†
Abstract
A Ni(II) complex with two t-butylisocyanide ligands supported by a N3C− type tetradentate ligand was synthesized and characterized. Quantitative generation of the aromatic cyanation product, tBuN3C-CN, is observed by reacting this Ni(II) complex with 1 equiv. of an oxidant. Reactivity studies suggest that this oxidatively-induced cyanation involves a heterolytic cleavage of the N–tBu bond and is mediated by Ni(III).