Three different functions of a phosphinic amidato ligand in LNi(LLi)(LH) {L = [tBu2P(O)NEt]−}

The title paramagnetic compound, chloro‐2κCl‐di‐tert‐butyl­phos­phinic ethylamide‐1κO]­bis­μ‐di‐tert‐butyl­phos­phin­ic ethyl­amidato(1?)‐1:2κ⁴O:N]­lithium(I)­nickel(II), NiLiCl(C₁₀H₂₃NOP)₂(C₁₀H₂₄NOP)], revealed an incomplete bischelation of Ni²⁺ by L^? {L = ^tBu₂P(O)NEt]^?}, with the formation of a pseudo‐tetrahedral NiON₂Cl chromophore. The Ni atom is coordinated by Cl^?, bidentate L^? and mono­dentate LLi (via N).