Crystal structure of a novel tertiary phosphine coordination complex: dichlorobis(tribenzylphosphine)nickel(II)

The title compound dichlorobis(tribenzylphosphine)nickel(II), Ni[P(CH2C6H5) (3)](2)Cl-2, belongs to a type of tertiary phosphine coordination complex, M(PR3)(2)X-2. There are two molecules in the unit cell which do not appear to interact chemically. Both molecules have a trans-square planar configura tion with each nickel atom on a center of symmetry. Three benzyl groups are bonded to each phosphorus atom as rotors in a propeller, and the threefold axis is along the P-Ni bond,which has a mean length of 2.23(1) Angstrom. C rystal data: C42H42Cl2NiP2, Triclinic, space group P (1) over bar, a = 10.4 892(15) b = 10.5249(12) c 19.453(2) Angstrom, alpha = 83.872(8), beta = 76. 839(9), gamma = 62.241(8)degrees, V = 1850.5(4) Angstrom (3), Z = 2. There is an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the C3 and C11 atoms.