Unsymmetrical (R)PNP(R') pincer ligands and their group 10 complexes.

Two new unsymmetrical (R)PNP(R')-type pincer ligands based on a bis(tolyl)amine framework have been synthesized and characterized by a variety of techniques, including X-ray crystallography. These ligands have been coordinated to Ni, Pd, and Pt precursors to provide a number of well-characterized group 10 halides. Conversion of these metal halides to metal hydrides was accomplished using borohydride reagents, or by direct interaction of the ligand with the zerovalent metal precursor. The insertion of oxygen into these hydrides in an attempt to prepare metal hydroperoxides has been examined; however, we were unable to obtain stable and isolable hydroperoxide species. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011