Two nickel(II) complexes [Ni(HPiotsc)(2)(NO3)(2)] (1), [Ni(Hpiotsc)(2)(NO3)(2)] (.) H2O (2) were synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, and thermal analyses. The geometry of the nickel(II) atom in two complexes is a distorted octahedron with ONS atoms of two neutral ligands. The antimicrobial activities of complex 1 were evaluated by the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) against five bacteria. The six-coordinate complex 1 did not inhibit the growth of the test organisms. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.