Preparation, structure, and dynamics of a nickel π-allyl cyanide complex

The complex (dippe)Ni(η3-allyl)(CN) has been prepared and fully characterized (dippe=bis-(diisopropylphosphino)ethane), including X-ray diffraction studies, as a square pyramidal structure. The complex shows dynamic 1H-NMR behavior consistent with substantial structural rearrangements upon π to σ allyl interconversion. A comparison is made with (dippe)Ni(η3-allyl)Br, which also displays a square pyramidal structure.