Synthesis and thermal behaviour of cyclopentadienylnickel(II) thiolato Schiff base complexes. Molecular structures of Ni(eta(5)-C5H5)(PBu3(SC6H4NC(H)C6H4C6H5) and Ni(eta(5)-C5H5)(PBu3)(SC6H4NC(H)C6H4OC4H9)

The new complexes Ni(eta (5)-C5H5)(PR3) (SC6H4NC(H)C6H4OCnH2n+1), Ni(eta (5 )-C5H5)(PR3)(SC6H4NC(H)C6H4C6H5) and Ni(eta (5)-C5H5)(PR3)(SC6H4NC(H)C6H4OC H2C6H5), (R = Ph or Bu; n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 16 and 20), were synthesised f rom equimolar amounts of Ni(eta (5)-C5H5)(PR3)Br (R = Ph or Bu) and the app ropriate thiol ligand and were characterised by NMR and elemental analysis. In addition la and 3a were characterised by single crystal X-ray diffracti on studies. These new complexes were also examined by thermal analytical me thods (DSC and TGA) and polarising hot-stage microscopy, but were not found to exhibit any liquid crystalline behaviour. Thermal analysis showed that the complexes were generally stable up to about 180 degreesC and decomposed finally to a species with empirical formula NiSC6H5. Two decomposition pat hways were established, depending on the phosphine used. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.