The reactions of nickel(0) complexes with phosphine, bipyridine-type, and N-heterocyclic carbene ligands with aryl, vinyl, and alkyl halides is reviewed.

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 characterized using techniques including NMR spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

I. P. (Accepted/In press). Operando neutron scattering -following reactions in real time using neutrons. Topics in Catalysis.