A new polymorphic form of bis(acetato-κO)bis[2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanol-κ2N,O]nickel(II).

A new polymorph of a mononuclear nickel(II) acetate complex with 2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanol ligands, [Ni(CH(3)COO)(2)(C(7)H(9)NO)(2)], has been prepared and structurally characterized. Its molecular structure resembles the structures of two previously reported polymorphs in that the Ni(II) atom is located on an inversion centre and is coordinated by pairs of acetate and 2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanol ligands. The acetate anions are coordinated in a monodentate manner, while the 2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanol ligands are coordinated in a bidentate chelating mode involving the endocyclic N atom and the hydroxy O atom of the ligand side chain. A strong bifurcated intramolecular hydrogen-bond interaction was observed involving the hydroxy O atom as donor and both acetate O atoms as acceptors. No classical intermolecular hydrogen-bond contacts were observed. However, the crystal packing is effected through π-π and C-H...π interactions, giving rise to a different packing arrangement. A brief comparison of the three polymorphic forms is presented.