The nickel(II)/2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine system: Synthesis and crystallographic characterization of a series of complexes

A series of nickel(II) complexes of 2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (tpt) have been prepared and identified using crystallographic techniques. Changes in the reaction conditions result in complexes with metal - triazine ligand ratios of 2 : 1, 1 : 1, and 1 : 2 being isolated. The results of the structural studies show that different stereoisomers can be formed, and the structures have been examined in order to identify the stabilizing features that might have led to these particular compounds being formed in preference to others in such labile systems. Numerous pi - pi stacking and hydrogen-bonding interactions can be found within the lattices of the structures, but these are notably absent in the structure of [Ni(tpt)(2)](ClO4)(2) 7, the complex isolated when perchlorate ions are added to solutions of all the other compounds.