Synthesis, characterization of novel Nickel(II) complexes with PxNy-Type ligands and their application in reduction of ketones

Remarkable Enhancement of Catalytic Reduction of Nitrophenol Isomers by Decoration of Ni Nanosheets with Cu Species

Herein, the catalytic reduction of isomers of nitrophenols (NPS) using Ni x Cu y nanostructures with different molar ratios is presented. Ni x Cu y catalysts are prepared using star-shaped Ni nanoparticles as seeds. The applied synthesis transforms Ni nanoparticles into sheet-like structures when Cu species are deposited on them. The bimetallic sheet-like Ni x Cu y nanostructures demonstrate high catalytic activity to reduce NP isomers concerning their monometallic counterparts. The contribution of the Cu+ species affects the catalytic reduction of the NPS isomers. For example, the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) depends on the Ni:Cu molar ratio: Ni1.75Cu > Cu > NiCu > Ni7Cu > Ni3.5Cu > Ni. The Ni7Cu catalyst exhibits the highest catalytic activity in the reduction of nitrophenol isomers 2-nitrophenol (2-NP) and 3-nitrophenol (3-NP), and the obtained results are comparable with those reported for noble-metal-based catalysts. The low-cost production of Ni x Cu y catalysts and their high catalytic stability and availability make them attractive for industrial applications.

Kappa what? Insights into the coordination modes of N2P2 ligands

While first synthesized more than three decades ago, complexes supported by N2P2 ligands have seen renewed interest due to the synthesis of new ligands, expansion of their reactivity, and catalytic applications. Possessing both soft phosphines and hard nitrogen donors, N2P2 ligands can accommodate various metal geometries and coordination modes thanks to their capability to act as bidentate, tridentate or tetradentate ligands. This short review will explore how metals bind to these ligands and also highlight the complexes' reactivity and catalytic abilities.