The synthesis of a new dithiophosphonic acid and its coordination properties toward Ni(II): A combined NMR and X-ray diffraction study

In order to investigate the coordination properties of the new, dianionic, S-donor ligand 4-methoxophenyldithiophosphonate (L), a dithiophosphonate salt of L(H₂pz)₂ formula was prepared (Hpz = pyrazole), characterized by multinuclear solution and solid state NMR, and subsequently employed in the synthesis of two Ni(II) metal complexes of [NiL₂](H₂pz)₂ and [NiL₂](HNEt₃)₂ formula. The latter species were fully characterized by a combined NMR and X-ray diffraction study, allowing to disclose interesting structural features, such as subtle deformations of the ligand (and their influence on the magnetic resonance properties of the ³¹P nuclei), imposed by distinct hydrogen-bond patterns.