Electrochemical properties and electronic structures of two neutral nickel bis(1,2-dithiolene) complexes

The synthesis, spectroscopic and electrochemical characterizations of two neutral bisdithiolene nickel complexes are described. Electrochemical reversibility and bandgap have been measured by different techniques. The influence of the nature and length of the alkyl chain, the type of electrode (Pt microdisk for solutions, ITO-coated glass, Pt wire, and CME (cavity microelectrode) for condensed state) and the solvent have been investigated. Optical transmission measurements in the visible–near-IR (VIS–NIR) region allowed the determination of the optical bandgap.