Tetra-μ-benzoato-κ8O:O′-bis[(benzoic acid-κO)nickel(II)]

The title compound, [Ni2(C7H5O2)4(C7H6O2)2], is composed of two NiII ions, four bridging benzoate anions and two η1-benzoic acid molecules. The [Ni2(PhCOO)4] unit adopts a typical paddle-wheel conformation. The center between the two NiII atoms represents a crystallographic center of inversion. In addition, each NiII ion also coordinates to one O atom from a benzoic acid molecule. The crystal packing is realised by intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions and π–π stacking interactions, with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.921 (1) Å.