Abstract The synthesis of the first diorganotellurium dithiocyanates is reported. It is argued that the tellurium interacts more strongly with the nitrogen than with the sulphur atom of the NCS group. Two structural classes are noted:(a) R 2 Te (NCS) 2 (R Ph, p-CH 3 O· C 6 H 4) in which interaction of tellurium with the two NCS groups is equal and in which intermolecular association via long Te S bonds probably occurs;(b)[R 2 Te (NCS)](NCS)( ...