The reaction of NBu(4)[Ni(C(6)F(5))(4)] (1) with solutions of dry HCl(g) in Et(2)O results in the protonolysis of two Nibond;C(6)F(5) bonds giving NBu(4)[Ni(C(6)F(5))(2)(mu-Cl)(2)] (2 a) together with the stoichiometrically required amount of C(6)F(5)H. Compound 2 a reacts with AgClO(4) in THF to give cis-[Ni(C(6)F(5))(2)(thf)(2)] (3). Reacting 3 with phosphonium halides, [PPh(3)Me]X, gives dinuclear compounds PPh(3)Me[Ni(C(6)F(5))(2)(mu-X)(2)] (X=Br (2 b) or I (2 c)). Solutions of compounds 2 in CH(2)Cl(2) at 0 degrees C do not react with excess CNtBu, but do react with CO (1 atm) to split the bridges and form a series of terminal Ni(II) carbonyl derivatives with general formula Qcis-[Ni(C(6)F(5))(2)X(CO)] (4). The nu(CO) stretching frequencies of 4 in CH(2)Cl(2) solution decrease in the order Cl (2090 cm(-1))>Br (2084 cm(-1))>I (2073 cm(-1)). Compounds 4 revert to the parent dinuclear species 2 on increasing the temperature or under reduced CO pressure. [NBu(4)]cis-[Ni(C(6)F(5))(2)Cl(CO)] (4 a) reacts with AgC(6)F(5) to give [NBu(4)][Ni(C(6)F(5))(3)(CO)] (5, nu(CO)(CH(2)Cl(2))=2070 cm(-1)). Compound 5 is also quantitatively formed ((19)F NMR spectroscopy) by 1:1 reaction of 1 with HCl(Et(2)O) in CO atmosphere. Complex 3 reacts with CO at -78 degrees C to give cis-[Ni(C(6)F(5))(2)(CO)(2)] (6, nu(CO)(CH(2)Cl(2))=2156, 2130 cm(-1)), which easily decomposes by reductive elimination of C(6)F(5)bond;C(6)F(5). Compounds 3 and 6 both react with CNtBu to give trans-[Ni(C(6)F(5))(2)(CNtBu)(2)] (7). The solid-state structures of compounds 3, 4 b, 6, and 7 have been established by X-ray diffraction methods. Complexes 4-6 are rare examples of square-planar Ni(II) carbonyl derivatives.