The interactions between Ni II cations and bidentate Schiff base ligands, N-alkyl-5-X-salicylaldimine HL (X = H; R = Et, nPr, tBu; X = Cl, OMe, NO 2 ; R = nPr), and bis(N-n-alkyl-5-X-salicylaldiminato)nickel(II) complexes [NiL 2 ] (X = H; R = Et, nPr, nBu; X = Cl, OMe, Me; R = nPr) were investigated by UV/Vis spectrophotometry in acetonitrile. The kinetics for the formation of Ni II /HL 1:1 adducts was studied by stoppedflow techniques, which showed that the process followed a two-consecutive mechanism. Experimental evidence and theoretical calculations indicated the formation of an unid-