Evaluating a dispersion of sodium in sodium chloride for the synthesis of low-valent nickel complexes

The use of a sodium in sodium chloride dispersion is systematically evaluated for the synthesis of nickel(0) and nickel(I) complexes from readily-prepared nickel(II) precursors. A variety of complexes with phosphine and bipyridine-type ligands were accessed, although some reactions were found to produce mixtures of nickel(0) and nickel(I), and yields were highly variable. Several new nickel(I) complexes were obtained, and these were characterised using techniques including NMR spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.