Electronic spectra of two high spind8 nickel complexes, Ni(en)3Cl2.2H2O and Ni(OAc)2.4H2O, are reported. Polarized spectra were measured at 298 K. Temperature dependent spectra were measured using unpolarized light down to 20 K. The spectra at 20 K are well resolved revealing the features of spin-forbidden transitions and vibrational fine structure on some of the bands. Some of the spectra are deconvoluted to separate out the overlapping bands. The assignments are made usingD3 symmetry for Ni(en)3Cl2.2H2O complex whileD4 symmetry is used for Ni(OAc)2.4H2O. The energies of the spectroscopic states are calculated and compared with the observed transition energies. The distortion parameters are determined.
