Reaction of the open-chain non-symmetric tetra-amine ligand (L1) 2,2,3-tet (1,4,7,11-tetraazaundecane) with Ni2+aq results in the isolation of the octahedral [Ni(L1)(NH3)(H2O)](Cl)2 «½EtOH«2H2O (1), the square-planar [Ni(L1)](ClO4)2 (2b) and of the distorted square-planar [Ni(L2)](ClO4)2«ClO4«½EtOH«H2O (2a) complexes, where L2 is a derivative of L1. The isolated solids 1 and 2a have been characterized by elemental analyses, thermogravimetric analysis, spectroscopic (UV/Vis, IR, NMR) measurements and water protons relaxation times (T1 and T2) measurements. Solid 2b has been characterized by crystal X-ray structure determination and spectroscopic measurements. Starting with 1, 2a or 2b, the equilibrium created between octahedral - square-plan...