Abstract
In this work we describe the preparation, crystal and molecular structures and paramagnetic properties of some square planar 1,2-dithiosquarato complexes as two potential diamagnetic hosts (Ph4P)2[Ni(dtsq)2] 1 and
[(Ph3P)2N]2[Ni(dtsq)2] 2 as well as three paramagnetic
[Cu(dtsq)2]2– complexes with sterically demanding counter cations (Ph4P)2[Cu(dtsq)2] 3, [(Ph3P)2N]2[Cu(dtsq)2] 4 and [p–C6H4(CH2Ph3)2][Cu(dtsq)2] 5 in order to vary the distances and the orientation of the paramagnetic complex dianions in the crystal structure. The structures of coordination compounds with those large counter ions once have
been named by Ljubo Goli~ himself as “Rubens-type structures”. These results might give some input for the
ongoing discussion of “through space” and “through bond” interactions of paramagnetic centres.