The reaction of Zn(NO
3)
2·6H
2O or Cu(NO
3)
2·3H
2O with the star-shaped ligand 2,4,6-tris(di-2-picolylamino)[1,3,5]triazine (dipicatriz) in acetonitrile results in the formation of the mono- or trinuclear coordination compounds [Zn(dipicatriz)(NO
3)
2] (
1), [Zn
3(dipicatriz)(NO
3)
6](CH
3CN)
3 (
2), and [Cu
3(dipicatriz)(NO
3)
2(H
2O)
6](NO
3)
4 (
3), dependingon the metal-to-ligand ratios used during the crystallization process. Their crystal structures exhibit uniquesupramolecular interactions. Compounds
1 and
2 show anion-
![](/images/gifchars/pi.gif)
interactions between coordinated nitrate ions andthe
s-triazine ring. Compound
3 exhibits remarkable interactions between two noncoordinated nitrate anions andthe two faces of the electron-deficient heteroaromatic ring, corroborating earlier theoretical investigations in thisarea. New theoretical investigations have been carried out on nitrate-
![](/images/gifchars/pi.gif)
interactions, taking into account the particularposition of the anion toward the aromatic ring observed in the crystal structures.