Synthesis and properties of new nickel-1,2-dithiolenes, Ni(phdt)2 and Ni(dphdt)2

Phenyl-substituted Ni(dddt) 2 , Ni(phdt) 2 and Ni(dphdt) 2 , were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and UV spectroscopy. The ligand precursors were prepared by the [2+4] cycloaddition reaction between oligo(1,3-dithiole-2,4,5-trithione) and styrene or t -stilbene, respectively. [Ni(dphdt) 2 ] 1− shows rhombic esr g-values (g t = 2.099, g 2 = 2.039, g 3 =2.006) at 77K. It exhibits a cyclic voltamogram with a reversible oxidation potential at 0.34 V( vs. Ag/AgCl) and quasi- reversible one at −0.38V ( Δ V 1 2 =0.72 V ).