H2 activation

Rational design of the nickel‐borane complex for efficient hydrogenation of styrene

The Ni‐B complex 1BCF with a facilely accessible monophosphine (PtBu3) unit was theoretically designed, which was found to be more active than that with an ambiphilic ligand for hydrogenation of styrene. Substituting PtBu3 with a stronger electron donating ligand N‐heterocyclic carbene largely improves the activity of the Ni‐B complex.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcc.26480