Exploiting synergic reactivities of s-block metal nickelates for bimetallic catalysis

Heterobimetallic nickelates derived from Ni(0)-olefin complexes and polar organometallics were widely studied during the spawn of low-valent organonickel chemistry but remained dormant in the literature for several decades. We have recently demonstrated that nickelates are key intermediates in the Ni-catalysed cross-coupling of aryl ethers, prompting a renewed experimental and theoretical interest into these unique heterobimetallic complexes.

In this talk, the synthesis and structures of homoleptic s-block metal nickelates which can be readily accessed from Ni(0) olefin complexes and a variety of s-block metal organometametallics will be discussed. Structural and Mechanistic insights and applications of these nickelates in catalytic cross-coupling reactions and C-C bond cleavage will also be discussed.