The nickel boratrane complexes [κ4-B(mimBut)3]Ni(κ1-OAc), [κ4-B(mimBut)3]NiNCS and [κ4-B(mimBut)3]NiN3 are obtained viametathesis of the chloride ligand of [κ4-B(mimBut)3]NiCl with TlOAc, KSCN and NaN3, respectively; the Ni→B bond in these complexes is a site of reactivity, thereby providing a means of synthesizing nickel complexes that feature B-functionalized tris(mercaptoimidazolyl)borate derivatives, [YTmBut]NiZ.