Bis[N-(β-naphthyl)-2-oxy-1-naphthaldiminato]nickel(II)

There is a remarkable stereochemical difference between the free ligand and that coordinated to the Ni atom in the title compound {systematic name: bis[1-(2-naphthyliminomethyl­2-naphtholato-N,O]nickel(II), [Ni(C₂₁H₁₄NO)₂]}. Upon coordination, the orientation of the N-(β-naphthyl)-2-oxy-1-naphthaldimine ligand (which is almost planar in the solid state when uncomplexed) is changed so that the plane of the N-β-naphthyl substituent is almost normal to the plane of the naphthaldiminato moiety. Two bidentate ligands coordinate to the Ni atom (which lies on an inversion centre) with their O and N atoms in a (necessarily) trans arrangement and forming a stepped conformation with a mean chelate-plane vertical separation of 0.639 (2) Å. Main dimensions are Ni—O 1.820 (2), Ni—N 1.901 (2) Å and O—Ni—N 91.75 (7)°

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