The vic-dioxime complexes bis(2,3-butanedionedioximato)nickel(II), Ni(dmg) 2 ; bis(3,4hexanedionedioximato)nickel(II), Ni(deg) 2 ; bis(4,5-octanedionedioximato)nickel(II), Ni(dpg) 2 ; bis(ethanedialdioximato)nickel(II), Ni(g) 2 ; bis(1,2-diphenylethanedionedioximato)nickel(II), Ni(dbg) 2 ; bis(1,2-cyclohexanedionedioximato)nickel(II), Ni(nox) 2 ; and bis(2,3-pentanedionedioximato)nickel(II), Ni(meg) 2 , were prepared. Their volatilities were compared under ambient and reduced pressure using thermogravimetry. Ni(deg) 2 and Ni(dpg) 2 were the most volatile, and the variation in volatility of each complex was explained on the basis of ligand effects, crystal packing, and nickel-nickel distances using solid-state electronic spectra. The crystal structure of Ni(dpg) 2 was determined for the first time: monoclinic crystal system, C2/c space group. The complex packs in pairs related by the c-glide plane symmetry. Short intrapair distances of 3.312(2) Å are observed between Ni and N with short and long Ni-Ni distances of 3.2044(5) and 5.7964(5) Å, respectively. Metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) experiments were conducted using Ni(deg) 2 as precursor in a vertical cold-walled reactor. The precursor transport and film growth behavior, morphology, and composition have been examined. Pure films could be grown between 350 and 400 °C in helium. Growth rates were greater with additional hydrogen, but the films were heavily contaminated with carbon. The difference in growth rates and film morphology for the different reactor conditions was investigated.