incorporating two Ni(II) cubane units is formed when Ni(II) salts are reacted with N-aminoalkyl salicylamidato ligands in a 4 : 3 ratio in methanol. With a short (propyl) alkyl substituent, additional chloride counter ions are included in the cavity by occupation of one apex of each of the linked cubanes, while with a longer (pentyl) substituent, perchlorate and tetrafluoroborate anions are included