Single-Step Synthesis of Ni from Ni with H.

Chemists have long sought to regulate the reactivity of H , to yield hydride ions, hydrogen atoms, or electrons on demand. One source of inspiration for achieving this control is [NiFe]hydrogenase ([NiFe]H ase), which reacts with H to form various hydrogen active species such as Ni hydride species, Ni hydride species, and Ni low-valent species. Chemists have attempted to synthesize these hydrogen active species not only as models for the active species of [NiFe]H ase, but also as electron transfer catalysts. However, the synthesis of Ni complex directly from H has not been reported. This paper reports the first example of a single-step synthesis of a Ni complex, via reaction of a Ni complex with H , stable for over 3 months at room temperature and we further demonstrate a reductive coupling of acridinium ions as part of a reaction cycle.