A self-assembled dinuclear double-stranded helicate based on a square-planar coordination geometry

The nickel(II) complex of a new bis-N,O-bidentate Schiff base, in which two salicylaldiminate units are connected by an ?,??-dioxo-ortho-xylidene spacer via the 3-position of salicyl moieties, was structurally characterised in the solid state and in solution as a dinuclear double helicate based on a square-planar coordination geometry.