Soluble dithiolene nickel complexes are synthesized as NIR absorbing dyes.
Dithiolene ligands in carbazole-containing nickel complex take radical monoanion.
Substituent electron-donating ability changes chemical state of molecular core.
The resulting complexes take on a glassy state at low temperature.
Dithiolene nickel complexes could be applied to NIR laser protection at 1064 nm.