Molecular and crystal structure of [NO2Py](2)[Ni(mnt)(2)] (NO2Py=1-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyridinium, mnt(2-)=maleonitriledithiolate)

The structure of [NO2Py](2)[Ni(mnt)(2)], as determined by x-ray single crys tal analysis, consists of two 1-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyridinium cations and one [ Ni(mnt)(2)](2-) anion. The crystallographic data for the complex:monoclinic P2(1)/n, a = 9.913(2) Angstrom, b = 11.968(2) Angstrom, c = 14.566(3) Angs trom, beta = 100.36(3)degrees, V = 1699.9(6) Angstrom(3), Z = 2. The [Ni(mn t)(2)](2-) anion has a crystallographically imposed center of symmetry and exhibits a relatively planar structure. The cation, [NO2Py](+), adopts a co nformation where both the aromatic rings are twisted to the C11-C10-N3 refe rence plane. The anions (A) and the cations (C) consist of alternating laye rs (i.e., of type ...C(1)A(1)C(2)A(2)C(1)A(1)C(2)...) along the c axis of t he crystallographic unit cell.