Solvent effect on the UV-Vis absorption spectra of an alkylquinolinium salt of [Ni(dmit)2]

Significant solvatochromism has been observed in the UV-Vis spectra of an alkylquinolinium salt of [Ni(dmit)(2)]. In particular, a large blue shift was observed when chloroform was used as the solvent. From a UV-Vis spectral analysis, it was concluded that the [Ni(dmit)(2)] anion forms adducts with cations, and that the change in the electronic state induced by the formation of adducts was responsible for the solvatochromism. In the course of our study, it was found that the oxidation of the complex by oxygen in air was strongly accelerated by the presence of methanol. An investigation of the reaction kinetics of this reaction revealed that the reaction rate is proportional to the methanol concentration.