The imido complex (dtbpe) Ni{N(2,6-(CHMe2)(2)C6H3)} reacts with CO and CNCH2Ph with addition at the Ni-N bond to give (dtbpe) Ni{C, N:eta(2)-C(O) N(2,6-(CHMe2)(2)C6H3)} and (dtbpe) Ni{C, N:eta(2)-C( NCH2Ph) N(2,6-(CHMe2)(2)C6H3)}; both complexes react further with CO to liberate the isocyanate and carbodiimide ligands with formation of (dtbpe) Ni( CO)(2).