trans-Bis(N,N-diethyl­ethylenediamine)­nickel(II) dibromide

The structure of the title compound, [Ni(C(6)H(16)N(2))(2)]Br(2) or [Ni(Et(2)en)(2)]Br(2) (Et(2)en is asymmetric N,N-diethyl­ethylene­diamine), containing an Ni(II) atom (site symmetry [Image: see text]) in square-planar NiN(4) coordination, is described and contrasted with related structures containing Ni(II) in octa­hedral coordination with axial X (−) ligands (X (−) = variable anions). The dialkyl­ated N atom has an appreciably longer bond length to the Ni(II) atom [1.9666 (13) Å] than does the unsubstituted N atom [1.9202 (14) Å]. The Ni—N bond lengths in [Ni(Et(2)en)(2)]Br(2) are significantly shorter than corresponding values in tetra­gonally distorted [Ni(Et(2)en)(2) X (2)] compounds (X = (−)O(2)CCF(3), OH(2), or (−)NCS), which have a triplet ground state. The electronic configuration in these axially ligated [Ni(Et(2)en)(2) X (2)] compounds populates the metal-based d (x) (2) (-y) (2) orbital, which is Ni—N anti­bonding in character. Each Et(2)en ligand in each [Ni(Et(2)en)(2)](2+) cation forms a pair of N—H⋯Br hydrogen bonds to the Br(−) anions, one above and below the NiN(4) square plane. Thus, a ribbon of alternating Br(−) pairs and [Ni(Et(2)en)(2)](2+) cations that are canted at 65° relative to one another is formed by hydrogen bonds.