Ni(II) complexes with ligands derived from phenylpyridine, active for selective dimerization and trimerization of ethylene

An electrophilic substitution–carbonylation reaction on phenylpyridine based on the concept of ‘umpolung’ was used to prepare a series of pyridine based carbonyl compounds and bispyridine derivatives. The key intermediate which enhances this reaction is a base aggregate formed by the association of BuLi with lithium 2-dimethylaminoethanolate (LiDMAE) which is stabilized in nonpolar solvents. The presence of polar chelating amides that are used as acyl donors was found to collapse the superbase aggregates liberating nucleophilic ‘free’ BuLi. These nucleophiles lead a classical nucleophilic reaction to introduce butyl tails on the pre-ligand molecules. Pyridine carbonyl compounds produced by these electrophilic substitution–carbonylation reactions, on treatment with 2,6-diisopropylaniline and (DME)NiBr2 in glacial acetic acid at reflux temperature, gave Ni(II) complexes in good yields in a one pot protocol. These complexes are active toward ethylene, producing selective dimerization and trimerization products.