A 1,2‐Addition Pathway for C(sp 2 )−H Activation at a Dinickel Imide

A dinickel imido complex was synthesized using a redox‐active naphthyridine‐diimine supporting ligand. Upon coordination of an external ligand, the Ni 2 core was disrupted, triggering an aromatic C−H activation reaction to generate a Ni 2 (μ‐NHAr)(Ar) species. This intermediate is capable of liberating free carbazole and phenanthridine products upon heating or treatment with excess t BuNC. Collectively, these studies establish a kinetically facile 1,2‐addition mechanism for C(sp 2 )−H activation, taking advantage of cooperative reactivity between two Ni centers.