Solid state and solution structures of the nickel(II) complex NiL2 of the ambidentate (S,S)- or (P,S)-chelating ligand 3-diphenylphosphane-carbothioyl-1,1-dimethyl-thiourea (HL)

The ambidentate (S,S)- or (P,S)-bidentate ligand, 3-diphenylphosphane-carbothioyl-1,1-dimethyl-thiourea (HL), has been prepared, and the solid state and solution structures of its nickel(II) complex, NiL2, investigated. In the solid state the nickel(II) centre is square-planar and the ligand is coordinated in the (S,S)-bidentate mode, whereas in chloroform solution an equilibrium mixture of three isomers is rapidly formed, in which a (P,S)-bidentate species is the major component.