Changes in redox potential of a nickel-pincer complex bearing reactive secondary thioamide units: Changes caused by deprotonation/protonation reactions on addition of NEt3 and DBU

Shifts of Ni(II)/Ni(III) redox potentials of a nickel-pincer complex, [Ni(SCS)Br] (SCS = 2,6-bis(benzylaminothiocarbonyl)phenyl), on addition of bases have been investigated. The complex showed two-step shifts of the Ni(II)/Ni(III) redox potential, and the shifts are associated to two-step deprotonation of the SCS ligand on addition of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU). DBU led to a negative shift of the Ni(II)/Ni(III) redox potential by approximately 500 mV.