Synthesis, characterization, spectroscopy, electronic and redox properties of a new nickel dithiolene system

A new dithiolene ligand with 3,5-dibromo substituted phenyl groups was designed and synthesized. The protected form of the ligand was reacted with a nickel salt providing neutral Ni(S2C2(3,5-C6H3Br2)2)2 and anionic [Ni(S2C2(3,5-C6H3Br2)2)2]− isolated as a Bu4N+ salt. Both were characterized by UV–Vis and IR spectroscopy and compared with the similar known molecular systems. They exhibit intense low energy transitions that are characteristic of such systems. The electrochemical behavior of these molecules was investigated by cyclic voltammetry.