Influence of combustion reagent and microwave drying method on the characteristics of nano-sized Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:YAG powders synthesized by the gel combustion method

Nanosized Nd³⁺ doped Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (Nd³⁺:YAG) powders have been synthesized by the gel combustion method using different combustion reagent such as citric acid, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), glycine, glycol and the combination of citric acid and EDTA with different ratio. The pure YAG phase was obtained at relatively low temperature around 950 °C for citric acid or EDTA and 1,050 °C for glycine or glycol as combustion reagent, respectively by the gel combustion method. It was found that citric acid and EDTA are the better combustion reagents and yield rather homogeneous and well dispersed club-shape Nd³⁺:YAG samples, and the particle size synthesized by EDTA is larger than that by citric acid. Moreover, the particle size of Nd:YAG was enlarged when the ratio of EDTA was increased in the combination reagent, and the better dispersion of YAG was obtained when the ratio of citric acid to EDTA was 1:1 compared to that of other ratios and pure one as combustion reagent. On the other hand, the results showed that the microwave assisted in drying process of gel to xerogel produced more smaller Nd³⁺:YAG particles in size, and more homogeneous dispersion of the Nd³⁺:YAG particles than that of the traditional dry method.     

The use of thermal analysis in the study of Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> formation by the polymeric precursor method

Single-phase Ca₃Al₂O₆ was prepared via polymeric precursor method. The influence of the reactants nature in the Ca₃Al₂O₆ synthesis was investigated. For this purpose, citric acid and soluble salts of calcium (nitrate, chloride, carbonate) and aluminium (nitrate, chloride, acetate) were used as starting materials, in the presence and, respectively, in the absence of ethylene glycol. Ca₃Al₂O₆ resulted as single-phase after annealing at 1050 °C for 1 h only starting from calcium nitrate or carbonate and aluminium nitrate or acetate as salts precursor for Ca²⁺ and Al³⁺ cations. The formation of Ca₃Al₂O₆ is not conditioned by the ethylene glycol presence in these mixtures. Using calcium and aluminium chlorides, the phases present at 1050 °C are Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₃ and unreacted CaO.     

Sol-gel processing and characterization of potassium niobate nano-powders by an EDTA/citrate complexing method

The present research describes a modified sol-gel technique used to obtain nano-crystalline potassium niobate (KNbO₃) powders by using ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)/citrate as a complexing agent. The metal ions chemically interact with EDTA in the precursor sol. The aging treatments lead to the formation of a precursor-polymeric gel network. The effects of the amounts of citric acid and EDTA on the stability of the precursor sol are investigated. The influence of excess K on the formation of pure-phase KNbO₃ powders is also studied. The obtained gels and powders are characterized by thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that a stable precursor sol is formed when n(CA):n(Mⁿ⁺) = 3:1 and n(EDTA) :n(NH₄OH) = 1:3.5. The xerogel is calcined at 700–850 °C to prepare the KNbO₃ nano-powder. The smallest grain size of the sample obtained at 850 °C is about 60 nm when the K/Nb molar ratio equals 1.2.     

Two color up-conversion emissions of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanopowders prepared by non-aqueous sol-gel method

Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders have been prepared by the non-aqueous sol-gel method using the aluminum isopropoxide as precursor, acetylacetone as a chelating agent, nitric acid as a catalyzer, and hydrated erbium nitrate as a dopant under isopropanol environment. The different phase structure, including three crystalline types of (Al, Er)₂O₃ phases, α, γ, θ, and an Er–Al–O stoichiometric compound phase, Al₁₀Er₆O₂₄, was observed for the 0.01–0.5 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders at the sintering temperature of 1,000 °C. The green and red up-conversion emissions centered at about 523, 545 and 660 nm, corresponding respectively to the ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, were detected by a 978 nm semiconductor laser diodes excitation. With increasing Er³⁺ doping concentration from 0.01 to 0.1 mol%, the intensity of the green and red emissions increased with a decrease of the intensity ratio of the green to red emission. When the Er³⁺ doping concentration rose to 5 mol%, the intensity of the green and red emissions decreased with an increase of their intensity ratio. The maximum intensity of both the green and red emissions with the minimum of intensity ratio was obtained, respectively, for the 0.1 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders composed of a single α-(Al,Er)₂O₃ phase. The intensity ratio of the green emission at 523 and 545 nm increased monotonously for all Er³⁺ doping concentrations. The two-photon absorption up-conversion process was involved in the green and red up-conversion emissions of the Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders.     

Electrocatalytic behaviour of citric acid at a cobalt phthalocyanine-modified screen-printed carbon electrode and its application in pharmaceutical and food analysis

Cobalt phthalocyanine-modified screen-printed carbon electrodes (CoPC-SPCEs) have been investigated as disposable sensors for the measurement of citric acid. The analyte was found to undergo an electrocatalytic oxidation process involving the Co²⁺/Co³⁺ redox couple. Calibration plots were found to be linear in the range 2 mM to 2.0 M; replicate determinations of a 5.2 mM citric acid (n = 4) solution gave a coefficient of variation of 1.43%. Additions of metal ions, such as Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Ca²⁺, were found not to interfere. The effects of hesperidin, cysteine, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), ascorbic, formic, malic, malonic, tartaric, oxalic and trichloroacetic acids on the determination of citric acid were examined and, under the conditions employed, only oxalic acid and EDTA were found to give any significant interference. The sensors were evaluated by carrying out citric acid determinations on spiked and unspiked samples of an acid citrate dextrose (ACD) formulation, lime flesh and juice. For lime juice, recoveries were calculated to be 96.8% (% CV = 2.7%) for a sample fortified with 5% citric acid and for ACD 99.4% (%CV = 2.6%) when fortified at 2.30% citric acid. Further studies showed the possibility of determining citric acid concentrations in lime juice and fruit directly, without the need for an added electrolyte. These performance characteristics indicate that reliable data may be obtained for citric acid measurements in such samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the electrocatalytic oxidation of citric acid and its application using a CoPC-SPCE.     

Effect of organic acids on sorption of uranyl ions in solution onto ZrP<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Hydration of zirconium diphosphate (ZrP₂O₇) conduced to formation of active sites in solid/liquid interface. In ZrP₂O₇/NaClO₄ 0.5 M suspensions, active sites and their acidity constants are quite determined but the presence of some impurities is now studied. This work was conducted to determine the surface properties changes produced by oxalic and citric acid during the hydration process. Moreover the presence of organic acids with ZrP₂O₇ modified reveals an increase in uranium sorption constants. The zirconium diphosphate has been characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Particle induced X-ray emission and Neutron (PIXE). Furthermore, the specific surface area, measured by the BET method, was 3.5 m²/g. The pH corresponding to the isoelectric point, determined by Zeta Potential measurements and mass titration was 3.6. The sites density calculated using titration curves was around of 5.37 s/nm² for NaClO₄ 0.5 M_, 13.71 s/nm² for NaClO₄ 0.5 M/citric acid 0.1 M and 7.33 s/nm² NaClO₄ 0.5 M/oxalic acid 0.1 M. The surface acidity constants and species distribution in surface were calculated by means of simulation of the titration curves with the FITEQL code (constant capacitance model), for ZrO and PO amphoteric sites of ZrP₂O_7. The uranyl sorption edge was determined for NaClO₄ 0.5 M. It spreads between pH 3 and 4.5 for complete sorption according to the previously published results. In the ZrP₂O₇–citrate modified surface, the uranyl sorption edge begin at pH 2 and was almost complete at pH 3.2 while ZrP₂O₇–oxalate modified surface edge started at 50% of sorption at pH of 1.5 and was complete at pH 3.     

Thermal behavior of LaPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>·<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and NdPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>·<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O nanopowders

Thermal behavior of LaPO₄·nH₂O and NdPO₄·nH₂O nanopowders from room temperature to 973 K was investigated by DSC, TA/DTG, ESM, and X-ray study. Mass loss due to the release of adsorbed and hydrate water was found in the range from 323 to 623 K. Phase transitions from hexagonal structure nanopowders to monoclinic one for bulk specimens were found above 873 K.     

Influence of pH and microwave calcination on the morphology of KGd(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> particles derived by Pechini Sol–Gel method

KGd(WO₄)₂ (KGW) particles were synthesized at 3.5, 5.5 and 7.5 pH values by Pechini polymeric complex sol–gel method using potassium nitrate, gadolinium nitrate, ammonium paratungstate, citric acid and ethylene glycol as starting materials. Deionized water was used as solvent. Polymeric precursor gel was formed with citric acid as complexing agent and ethylene glycol as binder. Synthesized gel was analyzed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Prepared precursor gels were further annealed using resistive and microwave processes at 550 and 700 °C, respectively. The properties of heat treated samples were characterized by powder XRD, FT-IR, Raman and SEM analysis to understand the crystallinity, organic liberation, tungstate ribbon formation and surface morphology, respectively. The phase formation and different phases of intermediate oxides in pre-fired samples were investigated by powder XRD. Organic liberation in the samples in relation to temperature, and the carbon content in the pre-fired powder was analyzed using FT-IR spectrum. Raman spectrum reveals the formation of tungsten ribbons as well as the quality of the samples. The morphological changes at different synthesis conditions were observed with SEM micrographs.     

Synthesis of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode material by a modified sol–gel method for lithium-ion battery

LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ was prepared by a modified sol–gel method, selecting ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid and citric acid as the co-chelating agent. The mole ratios of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) to metal ion (Mⁿ⁺) were 0:1, 1:1 and 2:1. The obtained samples were characterized by XRD, BET and SEM. The XRD showed that LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ had good crystallinity and well-ordered layered structure. After calcined at 850 °C, the LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ particles exhibited a three-dimensional space network structure, which was greatly correlated with the ratio of EDTA to metal ion. The LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ obtained from a mole ratio of 1:1 (EDTA:Mⁿ⁺) had the best electrochemical performance. The reversible capacities were reached 168 and 100 mAh/g at 1C and 10C discharge rate, respectively. The result of the cycling performance showed a high capacity maintenance ratio of 89.3 % at 1C and 25 °C after 50 cycles. The further electrochemical performance was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.     

Thermal analysis of CsH<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles using surfactants CTAB and F-68

A study concerned to thermogravimetric analysis is performed in cesium dihydrogen phosphate (CsH₂PO₄) that was synthesized, using cetyltrimethylammonium-bromide (CTAB), polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene (F-68) and mixture of (F-68:CTAB) with two mole ratio 0.06 and 0.12 as surfactant. The dehydration behavior of particles was studied using thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric. Subsequently, the experimental results indicated that the first dehydration temperature in the range of 237–239 °C upon heating, the second peaks occur at temperature range 290–295 °C and overlapping in the thermogravimetric events is observed. The mass loss values are obtained in the range of 6.62–6.97 wt% that is less than reported theoretical value 7.8 wt%. These values show well compatibility of reaction CsH₂PO₄ to Cs₂H₂P₂O₇ with 3.92 wt% whereas mass loss value of CsH₂PO₄ to CsPO₃ is less than theoretical value 7.8 wt%. The activation energy of two steps dehydration are calculated using Kissinger equation for the samples synthesized via CTAB and (F-68) with minimum value mass loss 6.62% and maximum value mass loss 6.97%, respectively. The calculation results reveal that the reaction rate in the first step (CsH₂PO₄ → Cs₂H₂P₂O₇) is faster than the second step (CsH₂PO₄ → CsPO₃). The weight loss values of the samples demonstrate that existence of CTAB can be considered as effective factor which prevents more weight loss during the dehydration process.     

Synthesis and catalytic epoxidation potential of oxodiperoxo molybdenum(VI) complexes with 2-hydroxybenzohydroxamate and 2-hydroxybenzoate: the crystal structure of PPh<Subscript>4</Subscript>[MoO(O<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(HBA)]

(PPh₄)₂[MoO(O₂)₂(SHAH)]·H₂O and PPh₄[MoO(O₂)₂(HBA)] (SHAH₃ = 2-hydroxybenzohydroxamic acid and HBAH = 2-hydroxybenzoic acid) have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. In addition, the second complex has been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. We have compared the catalytic activities of these two new complexes, together with the previously reported PPh₄[MoO(O₂)₂(BZ)] (BZH = benzoic acid), with respect to the epoxidation of alkenes. The hydroxamate complex is the most efficient catalyst among the three complexes, showing excellent catalytic activity for the substrates cyclohexene, cyclooctene, cinnamyl alcohol, pent-4-en-1-ol and hex-1-ene.     

Thermochemical properties of MnNb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Homogeneous manganocolumbite (MnNb₂O₆) was synthesized from Nb₂O₅ and MnO oxides. Powder sample was orthorhombic with unit cell parameters: α = 0.5766 nm, b = 1.4439 nm, c = 0.5085 nm and V = 0.4234 nm³. Heat capacity over the temperature range of 313–1253 K was measured in an inert atmosphere with combined thermogravimetry and calorimetry using NETZSCH STA 449C Jupiter thermoanalyzer. Melting point was 1767 ± 3 K, enthalpy of melting was 144 ± 4 kJ mol⁻¹. Experimental heat capacity of MnNb₂O₆ is fitted to polynomial C _pm = 221.46 + 3.03 · 10⁻³ T + −39.79 · 10⁵ T ⁻² + 40.59 · 10⁻⁶ T ².     

Synthesis and characterization of the [Ru<Subscript>3</Subscript>O(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>COO)<Subscript>6</Subscript>(py)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(BPE)Ru(bpy)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl](PF<Subscript>6</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> dimer

The polymetallic [Ru₃O(CH₃COO)₆(py)₂(BPE)Ru(bpy)₂Cl](PF₆)₂ complex (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, BPE = trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridil)ethylene and py = pyridine) was assembled by the combination of an electroactive [Ru₃O] moiety with a [Ru(bpy)₂(BPE)Cl] photoactive centre, and its structure was determined using positive ion electrospray (ESI-MS) and tandem mass (ESI-MS/MS) spectrometry. The [Ru₃O(CH₃COO)₆(py)₂(BPE)Ru(bpy)₂Cl]²⁺ doubly charged ion of m/z 732 was mass-selected and subject to 15 eV collision-induced dissociation, leading to a specific dissociation pattern, diagnostic of the complex structure. The electronic spectra display broad bands at 409, 491 and 692 nm ascribed to the [Ru(bpy)₂(BPE)] charge-transfer bands and to the [Ru₃O] internal cluster transitions. The cyclic voltammetry shows five reversible waves at −1.07 V, 0.13 V, 1.17 V, 2.91 V and −1.29 V (vs SHE) assigned to the [Ru₃O]^{−1/0/+1/+2/+3} and to the bpy^0/−1 redox processes; also a wave is observed at 0.96 V, assigned to the Ru^+2/+3 pair. Despite the conjugated BPE bridge, the electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical results indicate only a weak coupling through the π-system, and preliminary photophysical essays showed the compound decomposes under visible light irradiation.     

Catalytic Activity of the Oxide Catalysts Based on Ni<Subscript>0.75</Subscript>Co<Subscript>2.25</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> Modified with Cesium Cations in a Reaction of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O Decomposition

The Ni_0.75Co_2.25O₄ catalysts were prepared by a coprecipitation method and modified with cesium cations by impregnation with a solution of cesium nitrate or cesium nitrate with citric acid and ethylene glycol additives (the Pechini method). The catalysts obtained were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis, the BET method, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, temperature-programmed reduction, and the temperatureprogrammed desorption of oxygen. The activity of the samples in a reaction of nitrous oxide decomposition was determined at temperatures of 200–300°C, in particular, in the presence of oxygen and water in the reaction mixture. It was found that the use of the Pechini method for supporting Cs makes it possible to obtain a more active catalyst, as compared with that prepared by impregnation with cesium nitrate, at the same cesium content (~2%) of the samples.     

Synthesis and characterization of macroporous Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>/C composites as cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

The macroporous Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composite was synthesized by oxalic acid-assisted carbon thermal reaction, and the common Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composite was also prepared for comparison. These samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and electrochemical performance tests. Based on XRD and SEM results, the sample has monoclinic structure and macroporous morphology when oxalic acid is introduced. Electrochemical tests show that the macroporous Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C sample has a high initial discharge capacity (130 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C) and a reversible discharge capacity of 124.9 mAh g⁻¹ over 20 cycles. Moreover, the discharge capacity of the sample is still 91.5 mAh g⁻¹, even at a high rate of 2 C, which is better than that of the sample with common morphology. The improvement in electrochemical performance should be attributed to its improved lithium ion diffusion coefficient for the macroporous morphology, which was verfied by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.     

Comparative study of the synthesis of CoFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> and NiFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> in silica through the polymerized complex route of the sol–gel method

In this work the synthesis of CoFe₂O₄-SiO₂ and NiFe₂O₄-SiO₂ nanocomposites was studied via the sol–gel method, using the polymerized complex route. The polymerized precursors obtained by the reaction of citric acid, ethylene glycol, tetraethylorthosilicate, ferric nitrate, and cobalt nitrate or nickel chloride were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. NMR and IR spectra of the precursors, without and with metallic ions, show the formation of polymeric chains with ester and ether groups and complexes of metal-polymeric precursor. The nanocomposites were obtained by the thermal decomposition of the organic fraction and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). XRD patterns show the formation of CoFe₂O₄ and NiFe₂O₄ in an amorphous silica matrix above 400 °C in both cases. When the calcination temperature was 800 °C the particle size of the crystalline phases, calculated using the Scherrer equation, reached ∼35 nm for the two oxides. VSM plots show the ferrimagnetic behavior that is expected for this type of magnetic material; the magnetization at 12.5 KOe of the CoFe₂O₄-SiO₂ and NiFe₂O₄-SiO₂ compounds was 29.5 and 17.4 emu/g, respectively, for samples treated at 800 °C.     

LiNi<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.2−x</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles: synthesis,structure, and evaluation of electrochemical properties for lithium ion cell application

Layered Ti-doped lithiated nickel cobaltate, LiNi_0.8Co_{0.2 − x}Ti_xO₂ (where x = 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05) nanopowders were prepared by wet-chemistry technique. The structural properties of synthesized materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermo-gravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA). The morphological changes brought about by the changes in composition of LiNi_0.8Co_{0.2 − x}Ti_xO₂ particles were examined through surface examination techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. Electrochemical studies were carried out using 2016-type coin cell in the voltage range of 3.0–4.5 V (vs carbon) using 1 M LiClO₄ in ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate as the electrolyte. Among the various concentrations of Ti-doped lithiated nickel cobaltate materials, C/LiNi_0.8Co_0.17Ti_0.03O₂ cell gives stable charge–discharge features.     

Thermal analysis of doped Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

New environmentally inorganic pigments based on Bi₂O₃ doped by metal ions, such as Zr⁴⁺ and Dy³⁺ have been developed and characterized using the methods thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and spectral reflectance data. The compounds having formula Bi_2−x Dy _x/2Zr_3x/8O₃ (x = 0.2, 0.6, 1.0, and 1.2) were prepared by the solid state reaction. Methods of thermal analysis were used for determination of the temperature region of the pigment formation and thermal stability of compounds. The incorporation of doped ions in Bi₂O₃ changes the color from yellow to orange and also contributes to a growth of their thermal stability. This property gives a direction for coloring ceramic glazes.     

Structure and lithium mobility of Li<Subscript>4</Subscript>Pt<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si

The lithium-rich silicide Li₄Pt₃Si was synthesised from the elements by high-temperature synthesis in a sealed niobium ampoule. Its structure was refined on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data: R32, a = 693.7(2), c = 1627.1(4) pm, wR2 = 0.0762, 525 F² values and 21 variables. The striking structural motifs of the Li₄Pt₃Si structure are silicon atoms with a slightly distorted trigonal prismatic platinum coordination with short Si–Pt distances (238–246 pm). Always two trigonal prisms are condensed via a common Pt₃ triangle, and these double units built up a three-dimensional network by condensation via common corners. The channels left by this prismatic network are filled by two crystallographically independent lithium sites in a 3:1 ratio. The single crystal X-ray data were fully confirmed by neutron powder diffraction and ⁷Li magic-angle spinning (MAS)–nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) results. The two distinct lithium sites are well differentiated by their ⁷Li isotropic chemical shift and nuclear electric quadrupolar interaction parameters. MAS-NMR spectra reveal signal coalescence effects above 300 K, indicating chemical exchange between the lithium sites on the millisecond timescale. The spectra can be simulated with a simple two-site exchange model. From the resulting temperature-dependent correlation times, an activation energy of 50 kJ/mol is extracted.     

Steric distortion of planar NiP<Subscript>2</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript> chromophores: a spectral,cyclic voltammetric and single crystal X-ray structural study

The complexes trans-[Ni(4-MP)₂(NCS)₂]·MeCN (1) and trans-[Ni(3-MP)₂(NCS)₂] (2) (4-MP = tri(4-methylphenyl)phosphine, 3-MP = tri(3-methylphenyl)phosphine) were prepared and characterized by IR, UV–visible, NMR spectra, CV, TGA and single crystal X-ray crystallography. Both the complexes have planar geometry and are diamagnetic. The Ni–P distances in both complexes are relatively short as a result of strong back donation from nickel to phosphorus. The phenyl rings in the 3-MP analogue (2) show increased pitching with reference to the plane formed by the ipso carbons due to increased steric effects. For complex (2), the N–Ni–N and P–Ni–P angles are significantly lower than the almost linear N–Ni–N and N–Ni–P angles observed for both complex (1) and trans-[Ni(PPh₃)₂(NCS)₂]. This observation indicates that the 3-methylphosphine ligand forces complex (2) to distort towards a tetrahedral geometry. IR spectra of both complexes show strong bands around 2,090 cm⁻¹ due to N-coordinated thiocyanate, while the electronic spectra contain d–d transitions around 452 nm. Cyclic voltammograms show that the irreversible one-electron reduction potentials increase in the following order: trans- [Ni(PPh₃)₂(NCS)₂] < trans- [Ni(3-MP)₂(NCS)₂] < trans-[Ni(4-MP)₂(NCS)₂], revealing the electron releasing effect of the methyl groups. The planar complexes exhibit interallogony in coordinating solvents.