Reactivity of the Ni→B dative σ-bond in the nickel boratrane compounds [κ4-B(mimBut)3]NiX (X = Cl, OAc, NCS, N3): synthesis of a series of B-functionalized tris(2-mercapto-1-tert-butylimidazolyl)borato complexes, [YTmBut]NiZ

The nickel boratrane complexes [kappa4-B(mimBut))3]Ni(kappa1-OAc), [kappa4-B(mimBut)3]NiNCS and [kappa4-B(mimBut)3]NiN3 are obtained via metathesis of the chloride ligand of [kappa4-B(mimBut)3]NiCl with TlOAc, KSCN and NaN3, respectively; the Ni-->B bond in these complexes is a site of reactivity, thereby providing a means of synthesizing nickel complexes that feature B-functionalized tris(mercaptoimidazolyl)borate derivatives, [YTmBut]NiZ.