Dinuclear nickel(II) complexes of unsymmetric compartmental ligands bearing a terdentate linear arm and a terdentate dipodal arm

The synthesis and crystal structures of two dinuclear nickel(II) complexes of unsymmetric compartmental ligands derived from phenol and bearing a terdentate linear arm and a terdentate dipodal arm are reported. The binding of the terminal donor atom of the terdentate linear arm appears to be dependent on the nature of the accompanying counter-anion. In the presence of the non-coordinating tetrafluoroborate anion a terminal alcohol is coordinated, whereas in the presence of added isothiocyanate ion a terminal amine is not coordinated but the anion is.