1-Methyl-4-[(E)-2-(2-thienyl)ethenyl] pyridinium 4-chlorobenzenesulfonate

In the title compound, C12H12NS+ center dot C6H4ClO3S-, the cation is almost planar and exists in the E configuration. The cations and anions form alternate layers parallel to the ab plane. Within each layer, both cations and anions form chains directed along the b axis. The molecules are interconnected by weak C-H center dot center dot center dot O interactions into a three-dimensional network. The crystal structure is further stabilized by C-H center dot center dot center dot pi interactions involving the thiophene ring. The sulfonate and thiophene groups are involved in weak intramolecular C-H center dot center dot center dot O and C-H center dot center dot center dot S interactions, respectively. The latter intramolecular hydrogen bonds produce S( 5) ring motifs.