Large-scale synthesis of novel sterically hindered acenaphthene-based α-diimine ligands and their application in coordination chemistry

Abstract An efficient method to synthesize novel highly sterically hindered acenaphthene-based α-diimine ligands bearing bulky diarylmethyl moiety was achieved by two-step reactions. These reactions could be carried out on a scale of 100 g with no chromatography involved. On the basis of this method, a series of novel highly sterically hindered acenaphthene-based α-diimine Pd(II) and Ni(II) complexes, imidazolium precursors and the corresponding NHCs-metal complexes were also successfully synthesized. These novel complexes can offer great potential for metal-catalyzed polymerizations and organic reactions.