An Organometalllic Ni^IV Complex That Participates in Competing Transmetalation and C(sp²)–O Bond-Forming Reductive Elimination Reactions

This communication describes the synthesis of an organometallic Ni^IV complex bearing a labile trifluoroacetate (OTFA) ligand via the oxidation of a Ni^II precursor with PhI­(OTFA)₂. Intramolecular C­(sp²)–O bond-forming reductive elimination from this Ni^IV complex is relatively slow, requiring 6 h at 70 °C to reach completion. In contrast, transmetalation with TMSCF₃ occurs within just 1 h at room temperature to generate a Ni^IV–CF₃ complex. These studies show that intermolecular reactions such as transmetalation can be competitive with intramolecular reductive elimination processes at Ni^IV centers.