A Modular, Air-Stable Nickel Precatalyst

The
synthesis and catalytic activity of [(TMEDA)­Ni­(o-tolyl)­Cl],
an air-stable, crystalline solid, is described. This complex is an
effective precatalyst in a variety of nickel-catalyzed transformations.
The lability of TMEDA allows a wide variety of ligands to be used,
including mono- and bidentate phosphines, diimines, and N-heterocyclic
carbenes. Preliminary mechanistic studies are also reported, which
suggest that [(TMEDA)­Ni­(o-tolyl)­Cl] can activate
by either a Ni–B or Ni–Ni transmetalation event, depending
on the reaction conditions.