SYNTHESIS, CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE AND ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF [NBU4][NI(MDT)(2)] - A POTENTIAL PRECURSOR FOR NEW MATERIALS (MDT = 1,3-DITHIOLE-4,5-DITHIOLATE)

Reaction of methylenedithio-1,3-dithiol-2-one with sodium methanolate resulted in the anionic ligand mdt(2-) (mdt = 1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiol ate) which has been co-ordinated to nickel. The salt [NBu4][Ni(mdt)(2) ] was successfully crystallised and its crystal structure showed that the Ni(mdt), unit is significantly distorted from planarity Electroche mical studies showed that [NBu4][Ni(mdt)(2)] can be further oxidised i n two steps via the neutral [Ni(mdt)(2)] complex to a partially oxidis ed positively charged complex. The neutral complex has also been succe ssfully synthesized by oxidation with TCNQ. The redox potential of the oxidation from the neutral to the partially oxidised positive Ni(mdt) (2) complex is relatively low, +0.60 V, making this compound a promisi ng precursor for the preparation of conducting materials, based on der ived cation radical salts.