Malays. J. Anal. Sci. Volume 29 Number 5 (2025): 1615

Research Article

Design and evaluation of a benzimidazole-based nickel(II) catalyst for the Suzuki reaction

Norul Azilah Abdul Rahman, Noor Azmira Rahim, Najwa Asilah M Shamsuddin, and Nur Rahimah Said^*

School of Chemistry and Environment, Faculty of Applied Sciences Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Cawangan Negeri Sembilan, Kampus Kuala Pilah, 72000 Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

^*Corresponding author: nurra1435@uitm.edu.my

Received: 9 July 2025; Revised: 17 September 2025; Accepted: 23 September 2025; Published: 16 October 2025

Abstract

Nickel catalysts offer significant advantages over palladium-based systems, being more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable for the Suzuki reaction. This study reported on the design and synthesis of a new benzimidazole-based nickel(II) catalyst, [Bis(1,3-bis(4-chlorobenzyl)benzimidazole)]dibromonickel(II) complex (Ni-CAT). The catalyst was synthesised in two steps: firstly, the ligand was prepared via the reaction of benzimidazole with 4-chlorobenzyl bromide, and secondly by coordination with nickel(II). Both the ligand and Ni-CAT were comprehensively characterised by using FAAS, FTIR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C), UV–Vis spectroscopy, and XRD. Results confirmed the successful synthesis of the target complex. A preliminary complexation study revealed that a 1:2 metal-to-ligand ratio, was consistent with the proposed structure of Ni-CAT. Catalytic performance of Ni-CAT was evaluated in the Suzuki carbon–carbon coupling of aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid. Effects of different aryl bromides, solvents and bases were systematically studied, with catalytic activity monitored by GC-FID. High conversion rate of 91.7% was achieved under optimised conditions of 1-bromo-4-nitrobenzene, 0.25 mmol% Ni-CAT catalyst loading, methanol as solvent, and K₂CO₃ as base at 65 °C for 2 h. This study established a novel benzimidazole-derived nickel(II) complex as an efficient and sustainable alternative to palladium catalysts in the Suzuki reaction, demonstrating excellent activity under mild conditions with exceptionally low catalyst loading.

Keywords: benzimidazole ligand, carbon-carbon coupling reaction, nickel(II) benzimidazole catalyst, carbene carbon, Suzuki reaction

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