• Ni(I)–Alkyl Complexes Bearing Phenanthroline Ligands: Experimental Evidence for CO2 Insertion at Ni(I) Centers 

      Somerville, Rosie J.; Odena, Carlota; Obst, Marc; Hazari, Nilay; Hopmann, Kathrin Helen; Martin, Ruben (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2020-06-10)
      Although the catalytic carboxylation of unactivated alkyl electrophiles has reached remarkable levels of sophistication, the intermediacy of (phenanthroline)Ni(I)–alkyl species—complexes proposed in numerous Ni-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling reactions—has been subject to speculation. Herein we report the synthesis of such elusive (phenanthroline)Ni(I) species and their reactivity with CO<sub>2</sub>, ...
    • Room Temperature-Stable Magnesium Electride via Ni(II) Reduction 

      Do, Cuong Dat; Day, Craig S.; Odena, Carlota; Benet-Buchholz, Jordi; Xu, Liang; Foroutan-Nejad, Cina; Hopmann, Kathrin Helen; Martin, Ruben (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2022-07-13)
      Herein, we report the synthesis of highly reduced bipyridyl magnesium complexes and the first example of a stable organic magnesium electride supported by quantum mechanical computations and X-ray diffraction. These complexes serve as unconventional homogeneous reductants due to their high solubility, modular redox potentials, and formation of insoluble, non-coordinating byproducts. The applicability ...