title: [Ni(Et2PCH2NMeCH2PEt2)2]2+ as a functional model for hydrogenases.
abstract: The reaction of Et(2)PCH(2)N(Me)CH(2)PEt(2) (PNP) with [Ni(CH(3)CN)(6)](BF(4))(2) results in the formation of [Ni(PNP)(2)](BF(4))(2), which possesses both hydride- and proton-acceptor sites. This complex is an electrocatalyst for the oxidation of hydrogen to protons, and stoichiometric reaction with hydrogen forms [HNi(PNP)(PNHP)](BF(4))(2), in which a hydride ligand is bound to Ni and a proton is bound to a pendant N atom of one PNP ligand. The free energy associated with this reaction has been calculated to be -5 kcal/mol using a thermodynamic cycle. The hydride ligand and the NH proton undergo rapid intramolecular exchange with each other and intermolecular exchange with protons in solution. [HNi(PNP)(PNHP)](BF(4))(2) undergoes reversible deprotonation to form [HNi(PNP)(2)](BF(4)) in acetonitrile solutions (pK(a) = 10.6). A convenient synthetic route to the PF(6)(-) salt of this hydride involves the reaction of PNP with Ni(COD)(2) to form Ni(PNP)(2), followed by protonation with NH(4)PF(6). A pK(a) of value of 22.2 was measured for this hydride. This value, together with the half-wave potentials of [Ni(PNP)(2)](BF(4))(2), was used to calculate homolytic and heterolytic Ni-H bond dissociation free energies of 55 and 66 kcal/mol, respectively, for [HNi(PNP)(2)](PF(6)). Oxidation of [HNi(PNP)(2)](PF(6)) has been studied by cyclic voltammetry, and the results are consistent with a rapid migration of the proton from the Ni atom of the resulting [HNi(PNP)(2)](2+) cation to the N atom to form [Ni(PNP)(PNHP)](2+). Estimates of the pK(a) values of the NiH and NH protons of these two isomers indicate that proton migration from Ni to N should be favorable by 1-2 pK(a) units. Cyclic voltammetry and proton exchange studies of [HNi(depp)(2)](PF(6)) (where depp is Et(2)PCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)PEt(2)) are also presented as control experiments that support the important role of the bridging N atom of the PNP ligand in the proton exchange reactions observed for the various Ni complexes containing the PNP ligand. Similarly, structural studies of [Ni(PNBuP)(2)](BF(4))(2) and [Ni(PNP)(dmpm)](BF(4))(2) (where PNBuP is Et(2)PCH(2)N(Bu)CH(2)PEt(2) and dmpm is Me(2)PCH(2)PMe(2)) illustrate the importance of tetrahedral distortions about Ni in determining the hydride acceptor ability of Ni(II) complexes.
authors.affiliation: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401-3393, USA.
authors.forename: Calvin J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miedaner
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ciancanelli
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Bruce C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Noll
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rakowski DuBois
authors.forename: Daniel L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: DuBois
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D006864:Hydrogenase; D007700:Kinetics; D008024:Ligands; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011522:Protons; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011522:Protons; D009532:Nickel; D006864:Hydrogenase