Oxo-metal-halide moieties have often been implicated as C-H bond activating oxidants with the terminal oxo-metal entity identified as the electrophilic oxidant. The electrophilic reactivity of metal-halide species has not been investigated. We have prepared a high-valent nickel-halide complex [Ni(Cl)(L)] (2, L = N,N'-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide) by one-electron oxidation of a [Ni(Cl)(L)] precursor. 2 was characterized using electronic absorption, electron paramagnetic resonance, and X-ray absorption spectroscopies and mass spectrometry. 2 reacted readily with substrates containing either phenolic O-H or hydrocarbon C-H bonds. Analysis of the Hammett, Evans-Polanyi, and Marcus relationships between the determined rate constants and substrate pK, X-H bond dissociation energy, and oxidation potential, respectively, was performed. Through this analysis, we found that 2 reacted by a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism. Our findings shine light on enzymatic high-valent oxo-metal-halide oxidants and open new avenues for oxidative halogenation catalyst design.

No abstract

In the search for highly reactive oxidants we have identified high‐valent metal–fluorides as a potential potent oxidant. The high‐valent Ni–F complex [NiIII(F)(L)] (2, L=N,N′‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)‐2,6‐pyridinedicarboxamidate) was prepared from [NiII(F)(L)]− (1) by oxidation with selectfluor. Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by using 1H/19F NMR, UV‐vis, and EPR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, and X‐ray crystallography. Complex 2 was found to be a highly reactive oxidant in the oxidation of hydrocarbons. Kinetic data and products analysis demonstrate a hydrogen atom transfer mechanism of oxidation. The rate constant determined for the oxidation of 9,10‐dihydroanthracene (k2=29 m−1 s−1) compared favorably with the most reactive high‐valent metallo‐oxidants. Complex 2 displayed reaction rates 2000–4500‐fold enhanced with respect to [NiIII(Cl)(L)] and also displayed high kinetic isotope effect values. Oxidative hydrocarbon and phosphine fluorination was achieved. Our results provide an interesting direction in designing catalysts for hydrocarbon oxidation and fluorination

A ligand controlled catalytic system for the aerobic oxidation of 1° amines to nitriles and imines has been developed where the varying π-acidic feature of BIAN versus phen in the frameworks of ruthenium catalysts facilitates switchable selectivity.