Getting insight into C-H functionalization and cross-coupling reactions mediated by nickel and other first-row transition metals

ENG- Unfortunately, the implementation of first-row transition metals in catalysis presents certain challenges. Often, the high complexity of reaction mechanisms, as well as the difficulty in studying key intermediates due to their high reactivity, results in limited understanding of the reaction pathways in catalysis involving these metals. This lack of knowledge poses a significant problem, as greater insight into reaction mechanisms is essential for improving catalyst efficiency. This doctoral thesis, therefore, focuses on the synthesis of compounds containing first-row transition metals, employing ligands specifically designed to stabilize reactive intermediates that would otherwise be highly reactive and difficult to study. This strategy serves as a valuable tool to elucidate the reaction mechanisms underlying the formation of new bonds, such as carbon-oxygen, carbon-nitrogen, or carbon-carbon bonds, from carbon-hydrogen bonds. In the first part of the thesis, the use of redox non-innocent ligands is explored to stabilize reactive complexes in high oxidation states that are relevant to C-O, C-N, and C-C bond formation. In the second part, the focus is placed on high-valent nickel complexes involved in C-O bond formation, using two distinct approaches: the generation of species containing nickel-oxygen bonds, and the synthesis of organometallic nickel compounds