The title compound was synthesised from bis-1,5-cyclooctadienenickel, a,a′-bipyridyl and 1,4-dibromobutane in 83% yield and its structure determined by X-ray diffraction (a = 16.600, b = 10.837, c = 14.815 Å; β = 153.05°; C2/c, Z = 4; symmetry: C2 with square planar coordinated nickel; Ni-C: 1.949 Å). a,a′-Bipyridylnickelcyclopentane reacts with maleic anhydride or methylacrylate under reductive elimination to give cyclobutane in 75 and 57% yield; considerable amounts of butenes are formed, in addition to cyclobutane, upon reaction with borontrifluoride-dibutylether or on thermolysis.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Binger et al. (1979) studied this question.