The conversion of Ni(II) complex V to the Ni(II) silyloxyalkyl nickel intermediate II requires a net two-electron reduction by zinc and oxidative addition of the aldehyde and silyl chloride. The commonly invoked reduction of nickel complex V to Ni(0) complex I completes the catalytic cycle, although this possibility must be viewed within the context of recent work from Diao that illustrates that Ni(II) BiOx complexes are more resistant to reduction compared with the corresponding Ni(II) complexes of other commonly employed pyridyl-based ligands. The presence of the phthalimido substituent in V and the interaction of V with the aldehyde and silyl chloride may affect the facility of this reduction by nanopowder zinc. Given these complexities, the precise nature of the conversion of V to II will require further investigation.