Supramolecular assemblies involving anion–π and lone pair–π interactions: experimental observation and theoretical analysis

Two nickel(II) malonate coordination compounds, namely (C5H7N2)4[Ni(C3H2O4)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (1) and (C5H7N2)4[Ni(C3H2O4)2(H2O)2](PF6)2 (2) [where C5H7N2 = protonated 2-aminopyridine, C3H4O4 = malonic acid, ClO4− = perchlorate, PF6− = hexafluoridophosphate], have been synthesized from purely aqueous media, and their single-crystal structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction. As anticipated, various weak forces, i.e. lone pair–π, π–π and anion–π interactions, play a key role in stabilizing the self-assembly process observed for both compounds. Intricate combinations of lone pair–π, π–π and anion–π interactions of the type lone pair–π/π–π/π–anion–π/π–lone pair and lone pair–π/π–π/π–anion are observed that are fully described, including by computational methods. The theoretical calculations allow estimating the strength of these π contacts.