TRANS-NI(MES)[N(PH)C(O)N(H)CME(3)]-(PME(3))2

The title compound, trimethylphenyl)bis(trimethylphosphine)nickel(II), [Ni(C9H11)(C11H15N2O)(C3H9P)(2)], has been synthesized and its crysta l structure determined as part of our continuing investigation into th e reactivity and stability of the late-transition-metal amide complexe s. The Ni atom has square-planar coordination geometry; two trans site s are occupied by PMe(3) ligands. The geometry around the amide N atom is planar due to the interaction of its lone pair with the carbonyl p i system. A relatively long Ni-N bond, 1.978(6) Angstrom, is interpret ed as arising from a lack of significant pi interaction between the am ide N atom and the Ni metal centre.