Phosphine-promoted ring-opening of benzisothiazolinate ligands at a nickel(ii) centre: a convenient synthesis of Ni(ii)-thiolate complexes.

Phosphines react with the benzisothiazolinate (bit) paddlewheel dimer, [Ni2(µ-bit)4·2H2O], resulting in sulfur-nitrogen bond scission and a series of unexpected transformations leading to novel Ni(ii) complexes containing 2-cyanophenylthiolate and related thiolate ligands.