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(CH₃COO)₂(C₇H₉NO)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.