The effect of aromatic-aromatic interactions on the crystallization of helical nickel(II) complexes

Five monometallic helical nickel(II) complexes, with various substituents on the pendant arms, were prepared. The crystal structures of three complexes consist of alternating right- and left-handed helical complexes, with intermolecular face-to-face interactions. On the other hand, the other two complexes crystallize in right-handed or left-handed molecules alone, with intermolecular edge-to-face interactions. This behaviour can be correlated with the electron-releasing properties of the substituents on the pendant arms. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.