Tris-, bis-and mono-ligand complexes of Ni n with 1-phenyl-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine-2-thione (L) having the general formulae NiL3X2.2H20 (X=C1Og, BF2), NiL2X 2 (X = CI-, Br-, SCN-or NO3), NiL2X 2.EtOAc (X = Br-or I-), NiL2X2.HzO.EtOH (X = I-or NO3) and NiLC12.3H20, were synthesized and their structures deduced from i.r. and electronic spectra, and magnetic properties. The combined evidence is consistent with an octahedral coordination for the Ni n ion in all the complexes, with the ligand acting as a bidentate N,S-chelating agent. Spectral evidence, conductivity data and electrochemical results in DMF solution show that the complexes undergo solvolysis readily. Polarographic and c.v. data for the [NiL3I(C10,)z.2H20 complex and for the [Ni-(DMF)6](C1Og)2-L systems, at increasing ligand concentrations, have shown that in DMF solution the [Ni(DMF)6] 2 § cation prevails and that the thiopyrimidine-containing species, [NiL(DMF)5] z § (L =N-monodentate ligand) (fl = 2.42 x 106), can be formed only in the presence of a large excess of free ligand.