Mild Protocol for the Synthesis of Stable Nickel Complexes Having Primary and Secondary Silyl Ligands

A mild protocol for the synthesis of (PNP)Ni(SiH2Ph) and (PNP)Ni(SiHPh2) (PNP− = N[2-P(CHMe2)2-4-MeC6H3]2) stemming from the hydride complex (PNP)NiH is presented along with their corresponding solid state structures. The combination of preliminary reactivity and theoretical studies suggests these silyl ligands to be robust species due to the square-planar environment enforced by the pincer ancillary.