A one-dimensional polymeric nickel(II) complex of an imino nitroxide radical with thio­cyanate bridges

The title compound, catena-poly­[[[2-(2-pyridinyl)-4,4,5,5-tetra­methyl­imidazolin-1-oxyl]­thio­cyanato­nickel(II)]-μ-thiocyanato], [Ni(NCS)₂(C₁₂H₁₆N₃O)]_n, was prepared from the imino nitroxide radical (IM2py), nickel(II) nitrate and potassium thio­cyanate. The crystal structure consists of neutral chains of [Ni(IM2py)(SCN)] units linked by further thio­cyanate as bridges. The Ni—NCS—Ni chains form a zigzag structure. Each Ni^II ion is located in a distorted square-pyramidal environment. The basal plane positions are occupied by two N atoms from the imino nitroxide radical and two thio­cyanate N atoms, one from the terminal thio­cyanate group and the other from the bridging thio­cyanate group. The apical position is occupied by an S atom from the bridging thio­cyanate group.