Abstract
WHEN investigating the complexes of bivalent nickel halides with the chelate o-phenylene-bis-dimethylarsine (A)1, a series of very stable trivalent nickel salts have been isolated. If an alcoholic solution of nickel chloride is treated with the chelate A, a deep blood-red colour develops instantly, and by concentrating the solution a red salt [NiA2]Cl2 is obtained (found: C, 34.2; H, 4.9; Cl, 10.2; [Ni(C6H4(As(CH3)2)2)2]Cl2 requires C, 34.3; H, 4.6; Cl, 10.1 per cent). The compound is diamagnetic with χ = − 0.53 × 10−6 per gm hence the cation is planar with the nickel using dsp2 bonds. Attempts were made to convert this salt to the non-ionic complex NiACl2 by refluxing with hydrochloric acid in alcohol solution. After some hours refluxing in the presence of air, a much less soluble, greenish-yellow substance crystallized out. In large crystals it is brown, but it dissolves in water to a small extent to a greenish-yellow solution. Its analysis agrees with the formula NiCl3.2A (found: C, 32.5; H, 4.5; Cl, 14.3; NiCl3.2C6H4(As(CH3)2)2 requires C, 32.6; H, 4.3; Cl, 14.4 per cent). The compound can also be prepared by passing chlorine into an aqueous solution of [NiA2]Cl2; the blood-red colour immediately becomes yellow and a yellow powder is precipitated almost quantitatively. An aqueous solution is slowly reduced by sulphur dioxide or stannous chloride and by boiling with hypophosphorous acid, a red solution of the bivalent salt being formed.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Chatt and Mann, J. Chem. Soc., 610 (1939).
Jensen and Nygaard, Acta Chem. Scand., 3, 474 (1949).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
NYHOLM, R. Trivalent Nickel. Nature 165, 154 (1950). https://doi.org/10.1038/165154a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/165154a0
This article is cited by
-
Professor Sir Ronald Nyholm
Nature (1972)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.