POBOP pincer complexes of nickel(II): Synthesis and B-H activation of the carborane ligand upon oxidation with iodine

The (POBOP)NiCl pincer complex (POBOP = 1,7-OP(i-Pr)(2)-m-carboranyl) was synthesized by the selective B-H activation of the chelating carboranyl ligand and structurally and spectroscopically characterized. The reaction of (POBOP)NiCl and 1 equiv. of I-2 at room temperature led to the selective iodination of the vicinal B-H bond in the complex. The reaction of (POBOP)NiCl and 7 equiv. of I-2 at room temperature led to further iodination of the ligand and dissociation of the metal from the complex. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.