Matrix of Ni(Rbpy)(R′Ph)Cl (R = MeO, t-Bu, H, and MeOOC; R′ = ortho- CH3, H, OMe, F, and CF3) complexes examined in this study. The bpy ligand varies down a column, while the aryl ligand varies across a row. Complexes shaded in blue were synthesized and examined both experimentally and computationally, while those in orange were examined only computationally.