Crystallographic evidence of nitrate-pi interactions involving the electron-deficient 1,3,5-triazine ring.

The reaction of Zn(NO3)2.6H2O or Cu(NO3)2.3H2O with the star-shaped ligand 2,4,6-tris(di-2-picolylamino)[1,3,5]triazine (dipicatriz) in acetonitrile results in the formation of the mono- or trinuclear coordination compounds [Zn(dipicatriz)(NO3)2] (1), [Zn3(dipicatriz)(NO3)6](CH3CN)3 (2), and [Cu3(dipicatriz)(NO3)2(H2O)6](NO3)4 (3), depending on the metal-to-ligand ratios used during the crystallization process. Their crystal structures exhibit unique supramolecular interactions. Compounds 1 and 2 show anion-pi interactions between coordinated nitrate ions and the s-triazine ring. Compound 3 exhibits remarkable interactions between two noncoordinated nitrate anions and the two faces of the electron-deficient heteroaromatic ring, corroborating earlier theoretical investigations in this area. New theoretical investigations have been carried out on nitrate-pi interactions, taking into account the particular position of the anion toward the aromatic ring observed in the crystal structures.