Template condensation of CCl3CN and ammonia on zinc(II) (used as acetate) afforded, in one step, bis(2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-1,3,5-triazapentadienato)-zinc(II) 1, which was characterized by elemental analysis, ESI-MS, IR and X-ray single-crystal analysis. The complex 1 was shown to be an effective catalyst in the nitroaldol (Henry) reaction, providing high yields (up to 99%) and good diastereoselectivities (threo/erythro up to 3: 1) at ambient conditions. Crown Copyright (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.