Ni(0)-promoted activation of C -H and C -O bonds.

A dinickel(0)-N complex, stabilized with a rigid acridane-based PNP pincer ligand, was studied for its ability to activate C(sp)-H and C(sp)-O bonds. Stabilized by a Ni-μ-N-Na interaction, it activates C-H bonds of unfunctionalized arenes, affording nickel-aryl and nickel-hydride products. Concomitantly, two sodium cations get reduced to Na(0), which was identified and quantified by several methods.