Basic methanolysis of a sterically hindered aminobis(S-arylthiocarbamate) affords a novel aminobis(thiophenolate) pincer-type ligand NS22–; the in situ generated dianion reacts cleanly with Ni2+ and Zn2+ resulting in dimeric complexes with bridging thiophenolate ligands, as determined spectroscopically and by X-ray crystallography. The C2-symmetric [Ni(NS2)]2 dimer (1) has a square planar coordination geometry around the Ni2+ ions, while the [Zn(NS2)]2 analogue (2) is characterized by a distorted tetrahedral geometry around each independent Zn2+ ion. Addition of the neutral monodentate donor L = 2,6-xylylisocyanide to [Ni(NS2)]2 affords the monomeric complex [LNi(NS2)] (3), which is characterized in the solid state by a square planar geometry with the isocyanide donor trans to the tertiary amine of NS2. The pincer NS2 ligand provides redox plasticity to 1, manifested in the accessibility of the putative Ni+Ni+ and Ni3+Ni3+ dimeric complexes, based on comparative cyclic voltammetry studies with 2 and 3. The redox properties of 1 endow it with hydrogenase-type activity, as evidenced in the electrocatalytic reduction of protons in a mixed aqueous/organic phase, as well as the oxidation of hydrides from NaBH(OAc)3. Both 1 and 3 are resilient under protic and oxidative conditions, as evidenced in reactivity tests monitored by UV–vis spectroscopy.

We have made a detailed analysis of the adequacy of different theoretical approaches to the study of uracil tautomerism. We have considered the effect of molecular relaxation and the ability of several methods to reproduce it. We have also considered their performance in predicting the tautomerization energy barrier. We found that semiempirical methods are not adequate for predicting the energy value but that they can be used for obtaining geometry optimizations. We also found a strong discrepancy between the energy values predicted by a minimal basis set and a 23 basis set, the last one being 24.9 kcal/mol. The implications of these findings are discussed and the results compared with experimental evidence.

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