[M(NMesBMes 2 ) 2 ] (M = Cr, Ni) : Stable, Distorted, Two‐Coordinate d 4 and d 8 Complexes

The structures of the two title complexes are surprisingly different: The chromium complex 1 has an angular (ca. 112°) and the nickel complex an almost linear (ca. 168°) NMN arrangement. The two complexes can be prepared from LiNMesBMes 2 and [CrCl 2 (thf) 2 ] or NiBr 2 ·5/3THF, respectively. The angular arrangement in 1 is presumably due to a widening of the Cr coordination by CrC contacts. Mes = 2,4,6‐trimethylphenly.