The spin gap system by self-assembly of benzyl-4-ethylpyridinium and bis(maleonitriledithiolate)niclelate(III) anion

A new molecular solid [BzEtPy][Ni(mnt)2](1) by self-assembly of [BzEtPy]+([BzEtPy]+ = benzyl-4-ethylpyridinium) cation and the [Ni(mnt)2]− (mnt2− = maleonitriledithiolate) anion is obtained. The Ni(III) ions of 1 form a 1D zigzag alternating chain through Ni···S and π···π interactions, and 1 exhibits a spin gap transition around 90 K.