Bis(thiocyanato-κN)tetrakis(1-vinyl-1H-imidazole-κN3)nickel(II)

The title compound, [Ni( NCS)(2)(C5H6N2)(4)], crystallizes with two independent half-molecules in the asymmetric unit; each Ni atom lies on a centre of symmetry. In both independent molecules, each Ni-II ion displays a compressed octahedral coordination geometry, with six N atoms from two thiocyanate anions and four 1-vinylimidazole ligands building the NiN6 chromophore. In the crystal structure, pi-pi stacking interactions [centroid-to-centroid distance = 4.685 (3) angstrom] link the two independent molecules into a one-dimensional chain running along the a axis. Intermolecular C - H center dot center dot center dot S hydrogen bonds further stabilize the crystal structure.