The metal atom route to stable binary nickel stannylene complexes: synthesis of [Ni(SnR2)4] [R = CH(SiMe3)2 or C6HBut-2-Me3-3,4,5] †

The reaction of toluene solvated zerovalent nickel atoms with Lappert’s and Weidenbruch’s stannylenes :Sn{CH(SiMe3)2}2 and :Sn(C6HBut-2-Me3-3,4,5)2 at –78 °C gave the first homoleptic nickel(hydrocarbyl)stannylene complexes of composition [Ni(SnR2)4] as stable, red to purple crystals in 58 and 33% yield. The parent stannylenes represent ligand systems capable of stabilizing small transition metal centers like Ni0 without the necessity of any further stabilizing coligands.