The first extended, delocalised compounds using sandwich complexes as bis-1,2-dithiolene ligands: preparation and characterisation of [Ni(bdt)(Cp∗Rubdt)] and [Ni(Cp∗Rubdt)2][CF3SO3]

The complexes [Ni(bdt)(Cp∗Rubdt)] and [Ni(Cp∗Rubdt)2][CF3SO3] (bdt = 1,2-benzenedithiol) have been prepared by reaction of TBA[Ni(bdt)2] with one or two equivalents of [Cp∗Ru(CH3CN)3][CF3SO3], respectively. These complexes contain Ru sandwich complexes used as chelating bis-1,2-dithiolene ligands. UV/Vis spectra, EPR and electrochemical studies, in addition to confirming the structure, point towards an extended delocalised electronic framework with communication between the different metal centres for the latter complex but an electronic nature similar to the parent [Ni(bdt)2]− for the former complex.