Bis{2-[(phenylimino)ethyl]-1H-pyrrol-1-ido-κ²N,N'}nickel(II): a supramolecular structure formed by C-H∙∙∙π hydrogen bonds.

In the title compound, [Ni(C12H11N2)2], the NiII cation lies on an inversion centre and has a square-planar coordination geometry. This transition metal complex is composed of two deprotonated N,N'-bidentate 2-[(phenylimino)ethyl]-1H-pyrrol-1-ide ligands around a central NiII cation, with the pyrrolide rings and imine groups lying trans to each other. The Ni-N bond lengths range from 1.894 (3) to 1.939 (2) Å and the bite angle is 83.13 (11)°. The Ni-N(pyrrolide) bond is substantially shorter than the Ni-N(imino) bond. The planes of the phenyl rings make a dihedral angle of 78.79 (9)° with respect to the central NiN4 plane. The molecules are linked into simple chains by an intermolecular C-H∙∙∙π interaction involving a phenyl ß-C atom as donor. Intramolecular C-H∙∙∙π interactions are also present.