Bis(dimethylformamide-κO){4,4′,6,6′-tetrachloro-2, 2-[butane-1,4-diyl(nitrilomethanylylidene)]diphenolato-κ4O,N, N′,O′}nickel(II).

In the title Schiff base complex, [Ni(C18H14Cl 4N2O2)(C3H7NO) 2], the geometry around the NiII atom is distorted octahedral. It is coordinated by the N2O2 donor atoms of the tetradentate Schiff base ligand and the O atoms of two dimethylformamide molecules, which are cis to one another. The benzene rings are almost normal to each other [dihedral angle = 88.60 (14)°]. The various intramolecular C - H⋯O hydrogen bonds make S(5) and S(6) ring motifs. In the crystal, molecules are linked by pairs of weak C - H⋯Cl interactions, forming inversion dimers. © 2012 International Union of Crystallography