Pseudotetrahedral nickel (II) phenolate complexes TpR, MeNi-OAr (R= Me, Ph) decompose on exposure to O2 and/or H2O. Aerobic decomposition yields organic products consistent with formation of phenoxyl radical, and concurrent reduction of O2 leads to oxidative modifications of the aromatic ring on the phenolate (R= Me) or the supporting ligand (R= Ph; see illustration). Hydrolysis yields free phenol and [TpMe, MeNi (OH)] 2 or [(TpPh, Me) 2Ni ...
