Simple and easy functionalization of -hydroxy POCOP-M (M = Ni(II), Pd(II)) pincer complexes: synthesis of multimetallic species.

A facile and efficient method for synthesizing mono- and bi-metallic pincer complexes (3-Ni/Ni and 3-Ni/Pd) has been developed. The procedure involves a 1 : 1 stoichiometric reaction of a -hydroxy POCOP pincer complex with cyanuric chloride in the presence of [NaB(OMe)], which selectively affords the mono-substituted pincer complexes (2-Ni and 2-Pd). These complexes are then further reacted with another equivalent of the -hydroxy POCOP pincer complex to produce the desired multimetallic species (3-Ni/Ni and 3-Ni/Pd).