Synthesis Properties, and Reactivity of Ni-Group 13 and Group 14 Bimetallic Complexes
Transition metal catalysts are essential for a variety of industrial catalytic applications. Earth-abundant transition metals have not replaced their precious metal counterparts partly because they often undergo unproductive one-electron chemical reactions. To mitigate this problem, metal-ligand cooperativity has been used as an effective strategy for controlling the reactivity of base metals. Lewis acidic metalloligands are a particularly intriguing approach, acting as σ-acceptors capable of stabilizing low-valent metal centers and promoting two-electron chemistry. Using an optimized ligand scaffold featuring two unique binding pockets, a variety of Ni–group 13/14 heterobimetallic complexes were extensively studied. For these two types of compounds, a comparison of the synthesis, various stabilizing bonding interactions, and oxidative addition reactivity will be discussed.