Crystal structure of bis(2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-κ³ N,N',N'')nickel(II) dicyanidoaurate(I)

The title compound, [Ni(C₁₅H₁₁N₃)₂][Au(CN)₂]₂, is an ionic compound composed of bis(2,2':6',2''-terpyridine)nickel(II) dications and dicyanidoaurate(I) anions in a 1:2 ratio. The two tridentate terpyridine ligands define the coordination of the Ni²⁺ cation, resulting in a nearly octahedral coordination sphere, although there is not any imposed crystallographic symmetry about the Ni²⁺ site. The two nearly linear dicyanidoaurate(I) anions [C-Au-C = 179.0(2) and 178.2(2)°] contain a short aurophilic interaction of 3.1017(3)Å. The structure does not demonstrate any π-π stacking. Non-classical C-H⋯N interactions between the cations and anions build up a three-dimensional network.