Synthesis and characterization of a new π-extended nickel dithiolene complex for molecular materials

A new nickel complex consisting of extended thiophenedithiolene ligands has been synthesized. The complex has been characterized by UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray crystallography. The complex exhibits significant electron delocalization into the peripheral thiophene rings. The −1 complex displays diamagnetic behavior in the solid state, but is paramagnetic (S = 1/2) in solution. X-ray analysis shows a number of close contacts which could explain the diamagnetism.