Extended X-ray absorption fine structure and multiple-scattering simulation of nickel dithiolene complexes Ni[S₂C₂(CF₃)₂]₂ⁿ (n = −2, −1, 0) and an olefin adduct Ni[S₂C₂(CF₃)₂]₂(1-hexene)

A series of Ni dithiolene complexes Ni[S₂C₂(CF₃)]₂ⁿ (n = −2, −1, 0) (1, 2, 3) and a 1-hexene adduct Ni[S₂C₂(CF₃)₂]₂(C₆H₁₂) (4) have been examined by Ni K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) spectroscopies. Ni XANES for 1–3 reveals clear pre-edge features and approximately +0.7 eV shift in the Ni K-edge position for `one-electron' oxidation. EXAFS simulation shows that the Ni—S bond distances for 1, 2 and 3 (2.11–2.16 Å) are within the typical values for square planar complexes and decrease by ∼0.022 Å for each `one-electron' oxidation. The changes in Ni K-edge energy positions and Ni—S distances are consistent with the `non-innocent' character of the dithiolene ligand. The Ni—C interactions at ∼3.0 Å are analyzed and the multiple-scattering parameters are also determined, leading to a better simulation for the overall EXAFS spectra. The 1-hexene adduct 4 presents no pre-edge feature, and its Ni K-edge position shifts by −0.8 eV in comparison with its starting dithiolene complex 3. Consistently, EXAFS also showed that the Ni—S distances in 4 elongate by ∼0.046 Å in comparison with 3. The evidence confirms that the neutral complex is `reduced' upon addition of olefin, presumably by olefin donating the π-electron density to the LUMO of 3 as suggested by UV/visible spectroscopy in the literature.